Keith Mack
Zakat is an Islamic term meaning obligatory charity, where Muslims donate a portion of their wealth to the underprivileged, poor, and needy. It is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. There is a conflict of opinion on whether zakat can be given to family members, with scholars disagreeing about the lawfulness of paying zakat to family members. However, it is permissible to give zakat to distant relatives, such as brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews, provided they are eligible to receive it. This means they must be poor and needy, not just facing financial challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Permissible to give Zakat to brother-in-law | Yes, if they are poor and needy |
| Permissible to give Zakat to brother | Yes, if they are poor and needy |
| Permissible to give Zakat to parents | No |
| Permissible to give Zakat to children | No |
| Permissible to give Zakat to wife | No, but a wife can give Zakat to her husband |
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What You'll Learn
Who is eligible to receive Zakat?
To be eligible to receive Zakat, the recipient must be poor or needy. A poor person is someone who does not meet the Nisab threshold, excluding funds and property reserved for basic requirements. They must be in complete ownership and control of their wealth, free from debt, and in possession of the wealth for one complete lunar year. The recipient must not be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or a Hashimi.
There are differing opinions on whether Zakat can be given to family members. Some scholars say that immediate family members, such as spouses, children, or parents, cannot receive Zakat from their relatives. However, other relatives, such as siblings, uncles, and aunts, can receive Zakat if they are in need. Other scholars argue that it is permissible to give Zakat to family members, even if the donor has a financial responsibility to support them.
It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for receiving Zakat are separate from the criteria for determining who is eligible to pay Zakat.
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Can you give Zakat to your brother?
The question of whether one can give Zakat to one's brother is a complex one, and the answer depends on the specific Islamic school of thought one adheres to. Zakat is an Islamic term meaning "obligatory charity", and it is a religious obligation for Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to the needy.
Some Islamic schools of thought, such as the Hanafi school, hold that it is permissible to give Zakat to one's brother, provided he is legally poor and not among the immediate family members that one is financially responsible for, such as parents, children, or wife. This is supported by the idea that giving Zakat to a relative in need is both an act of charity and a way to uphold family ties. Additionally, according to the Hanbali school, one is legally responsible to support anyone who can inherit from them if they are in need, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Abu Hanifa both allowed giving Zakat to relatives even if one has a financial responsibility towards them.
However, other schools of thought, such as the Sahfi and Imam Malik's school, have different opinions. They consider certain close relatives as exempt from receiving Zakat, including parents, children, and a man's wife. According to these schools, it is not permissible to give Zakat to these immediate family members.
It is important to note that the eligibility of family members for receiving Zakat also depends on their financial situation. A poor person, in this context, is someone who does not meet the Nisab threshold, excluding funds and property reserved for basic needs.
When deciding whether to give Zakat to a brother, it is essential to consider the specific Islamic school of thought one follows and the financial situation of the recipient.
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Can you give Zakat to other family members?
The short answer is: it depends.
Zakat is an Islamic term meaning "obligatory charity". It is a religious obligation in Islam where Muslims donate a portion of their wealth to the underprivileged section of society, i.e., individuals who are poor and needy.
There is a conflict of opinion among the leading schools of thought in Islam on whether one can give Zakat to family members. While some scholars say that it is permissible to give Zakat to family members, others disagree.
According to Dar-Al-Ifta, it is permissible to pay Zakat to your siblings who are facing financial challenges. However, it is not permissible to donate Zakat to immediate family members like parents, children, or a wife. This is because, in Islam, a husband is wholly financially responsible for his wife's living expenses. Several other scholars, including Abu Hanifa, agree with this position. However, it is interesting to note that, according to some scholars, a wife can give Zakat to her husband.
Additionally, three criteria emerge among jurists regarding the lawfulness of paying Zakat to family members:
- Does the family member live with you in your household?
- Is the family member a financial dependent of yours?
- Does Islam legally bind you to support the family member financially?
If you answered yes to the above questions, it is generally agreed upon that you should not pay Zakat to these family members.
Moreover, the eligibility of family members to receive Zakat is determined on an individual basis, taking into account their financial circumstances. For example, an uncle with an income may still be eligible for Zakat if his income is not enough to meet his expenses and he has no savings.
In conclusion, while there is no straightforward answer, it is generally advised to consult Islamic scholars or authorities for specific situations and guidance on giving Zakat to family members.
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What is the definition of 'poor'?
In the context of zakat, a form of charitable donation in Islam, a poor person is someone who doesn't meet the Nisab threshold, excluding funds and property reserved for fulfilling basic requirements. This means that the person lacks the necessary funds to meet their basic needs for a healthy individual and social life.
In Islam, wealth is viewed as a flow or stock, and the needs that constitute the foundations of a good individual and social life are divided into three levels: the necessities, the conveniences, and the refinements. The concept of poverty in Islam can be understood as absolute and relative poverty. Absolute poverty refers to the income required to sustain a minimum standard of living, where an individual's basic needs are satisfied. Relative poverty, on the other hand, may refer to the gap between social classes, which can be narrowed through the distribution of wealth, such as through the practice of zakat.
Regarding the permissibility of giving zakat to a brother-in-law, there are differing opinions among Islamic scholars. Some sources suggest that it is permissible to give zakat to siblings, including brothers-in-law, who are facing financial challenges. However, it is generally not permissible to donate zakat to immediate family members such as parents, children, or a wife. According to the Hanbali school of thought, an individual is legally responsible to support anyone who can inherit from them if they are in need, which may include a brother-in-law. Other schools of thought, such as Hanafi and Shafi'i, have similar interpretations, emphasizing the importance of supporting relatives.
It is important to note that the eligibility of receiving zakat is not solely based on familial relations but also on financial need. The recipient must belong to the underprivileged section of society, simultaneously poor and needy. Therefore, while some schools of thought allow giving zakat to siblings, the primary consideration should be their financial situation rather than the mere fact of their relationship.
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What is Zakat?
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, often translated as "giving to charity" or "giving to the needy". It is a mandatory charitable contribution, often considered a tax, and is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth. The amount of zakat to be paid depends on the amount of money and the type of assets an individual possesses, but it is customarily 2.5% of a Muslim's total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as the Nisab threshold each lunar year. Islamic scholars disagree on the exact amount of Nisab, and other aspects of zakat.
Zakat is due after a full lunar year has passed since reaching the Nisab threshold, and it is usually given during the month of Ramadan, especially on Laylat Al Qadr, the 'night of power', which falls on an evening during the last ten days of Ramadan. It is also given during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Zakat is a way to purify one's income and wealth, and Muslims believe that those who give zakat can expect a reward from God in the afterlife, while neglecting to do so can result in damnation. It is considered part of the covenant between God and a Muslim.
Zakat is restricted to direct assistance to the needy, and there are eight categories of eligible recipients, including travellers in need, those in debt, those in bondage, and widows. It cannot be used for infrastructure or administrative costs.
There is a conflict of opinion between the most eminent schools of thought in Islam on the matter of zakat distribution to family members. According to the Hanafi school of thought, a child is not liable to pay zakat, irrespective of the wealth owned. However, in the Sahfi and Imam Malik's school of thought, any child with wealth above the Nisab threshold is liable to pay zakat.
According to Dar-Al-Ifta, it is permissible to pay zakat to siblings, including brothers-in-law, who are facing financial challenges. However, it is not permissible to donate zakat to parents, children, or a wife. But, a wife can give zakat to her husband if he falls under one of the eligibility categories.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is permissible to give Zakat to your brother-in-law if they are in need and are not one of your direct relatives.
Zakat is an Islamic term meaning "obligatory charity". It is a religious obligation in Islam where Muslims donate a portion of their wealth to the needy.
The recipient of your Zakat must be a member of the underprivileged section of society, an individual who is simultaneously poor and needy.
A poor person is someone who doesn't meet the Nisab threshold exclusive of funds and property reserved for fulfilling basic requirements.
Yes, it is permissible to give Zakat to your brother if they are in need. However, it is not permissible to donate Zakat to your parents, children, or wife.
