💰 Family finances · #30
May I give zakat to my own needy parents or siblings?
Zakat may not be given to those you are obliged to maintain, such as poor parents or your own children; but siblings who qualify as recipients may receive it if they are not your obligatory dependants.
The eight categories of zakat recipients are listed in at-Taubah 9:60. According to the Shafi'i school, giving zakat to an obligatory dependant is like giving it to oneself, since one should be supporting them from one's own money. Poor siblings, uncles or cousins who are not under your responsibility may receive zakat, and it is even better, as it is both charity and maintaining family ties. For parents in hardship, help them with ordinary money (maintenance or charity), and giving to close family is strongly encouraged (Sahih al-Bukhari 1427). In Malaysia, paying zakat directly to individuals may be subject to the rules of the state zakat centre; ask about the permitted methods of distribution. See Zakat & welfare.
The eight categories of zakat recipients are listed in at-Taubah 9:60. According to the Shafi'i school, giving zakat to an obligatory dependant is like giving it to oneself, since one should be supporting them from one's own money. Poor siblings, uncles or cousins who are not under your responsibility may receive zakat, and it is even better, as it is both charity and maintaining family ties. For parents in hardship, help them with ordinary money (maintenance or charity), and giving to close family is strongly encouraged (Sahih al-Bukhari 1427). In Malaysia, paying zakat directly to individuals may be subject to the rules of the state zakat centre; ask about the permitted methods of distribution. See Zakat & welfare.
Sources
Surah at-Taubah 9:60Sahih al-Bukhari 1427Surah al-Baqarah 2:215