Kara Sears
Islamic law requires all adult Muslims who meet the Nisab threshold to donate a portion of their wealth to those in need through Zakat. While there is some debate about whether it is permissible to give Zakat to family members, the general consensus is that it is permissible to give Zakat to family members who are not immediate relatives, such as parents, children, or spouses, as long as they are eligible to receive it and the giver does not directly benefit from it. With this in mind, let's explore whether one can give Zakat to their father-in-law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I give Zakat to my father-in-law? | Yes, if he is eligible to receive zakah and you give him the amount in complete possession. |
| Who is eligible to receive Zakat? | The poor, the needy, those who collect and distribute Zakat, those sympathetic towards Islam or wishing to convert, those in debt, those who work in God's way, and travellers. |
| Who is not eligible to receive Zakat? | Blood relatives (son, daughter, wife, parents, or grandparents), descendants of Prophet Muhammad. |
| Can I give Zakat to other family members? | Yes, if they are not financially dependent on you and are eligible to receive Zakat. |
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What You'll Learn
- Islamic scholars disagree about the lawfulness of paying Zakat to family members
- If your father-in-law is eligible to receive Zakat, you may give it to him
- You can give Zakat to family members, except your blood relatives
- It is permissible to give Zakat to your mother-in-law if she is needy
- The limitations involving giving Zakat to family members are based on Hadith and research by Islamic jurists
Islamic scholars disagree about the lawfulness of paying Zakat to family members
Some scholars argue that a man cannot pay Zakat to his parents, wife, or dependent children, as he is already obligated to provide for them financially. Similarly, a wife cannot give Zakat to her husband, as she would benefit from it. However, a wife can give regular charity to her husband, and some scholars say she should, for a higher divine reward. Other scholars disagree, arguing that Zakat can be given to relatives who are not dependents, such as grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces. This is supported by prophetic texts, which state that giving charity to relatives is twice as commendable in the eyes of God.
According to the Hanbali school of Islamic Law, one can pay Zakat to relatives even if one has a financial responsibility towards them, except for close relatives. This position is shared by Abu Hanifa and Al-Shafi'i, the latter of whom includes grandparents and grandchildren as close relatives. Malik, on the other hand, draws the circle of financial responsibility tighter, including only sons until puberty, unmarried daughters, parents, and a man's wife.
In the case of giving Zakat to a father-in-law, some sources state that it is permissible if he is eligible to receive Zakat and if he is given complete possession of the amount. However, it is important to note that the giver cannot materially benefit from giving their Zakat, which may be a factor to consider in this situation.
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If your father-in-law is eligible to receive Zakat, you may give it to him
Muslim scholars disagree about the lawfulness of paying Zakat to family members. However, if your father-in-law is eligible to receive Zakat, you may give it to him. This is because, according to Islamic law, a person's wealth is considered shared between them and their blood relatives, including their parents, children, and spouse. As a result, giving Zakat to these relatives is impermissible because it means the giver would benefit from their own Zakat.
According to the Hanbali school of Islamic Law, you are legally responsible to support anyone who can inherit from you if that support is needed. One prominent Hanbali scholar, Ibn Qudama, holds that Ahmad ibn Hanbal's predominant position was that you can pay Zakat to your relatives even if you have a financial responsibility for them, excepting close relatives. This is also Abu Hanifa's position. Al-Shafi‘i adds grandparents and grandchildren to the list of close relatives, while Malik draws the circle of financial responsibility tighter, including only sons until they reach puberty, daughters until they marry, parents, and a man's wife.
According to the most endorsed and best-supported juristic opinions, Zakat may be paid to all other close relatives that qualify for it. However, it is important to note that the giver cannot materially benefit from giving their Zakat. Therefore, it is essential to consider if you will profit directly or indirectly from the Zakat. Additionally, the recipient must be given complete possession of the Zakat amount, as tamlik (giving in possession) is a condition for the payment of Zakat.
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You can give Zakat to family members, except your blood relatives
The concept of Zakat in Islam revolves around the idea of purifying one's wealth by giving a portion of it to those in need. While the general consensus is that Zakat cannot be given to one's blood relatives, there is a degree of flexibility when it comes to other family members.
Firstly, it is essential to understand who falls under the category of "blood relatives." According to Islamic scholars, close blood relatives (Usool) include parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren. These are the closest eligible family members from whom heredity began and/or continues. Therefore, a man cannot pay Zakat to his parents, wife, or dependent children, as they are considered blood relatives. This is because the wealth is shared between them, and giving Zakat to them would mean benefiting from one's own Zakat.
However, when it comes to other family members, the rules become a little more flexible. Distant relatives (Furoo) include siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and any other relatives who are not Usool members. According to scholars, it is permissible to pay Zakat to these family members if they meet the eligibility criteria for receiving Zakat. For example, if your father-in-law is eligible to receive Zakat and meets the criteria, you may give him Zakat money. This is because he is not a blood relative, and the wealth is not directly shared between you.
It is also important to note that while a husband cannot provide Zakat to his wife, there is a debate about a wife giving Zakat to her husband. Some scholars argue that regular charity, separate from Zakat, is permitted in this case. Additionally, a wife can give Zakat to her husband if he falls under one of the eligibility categories for receiving Zakat.
The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged giving charity to relatives, saying, "Sadaqah to the needy is merely sadaqah, while it is both sadaqah and a kindness to kin when given to relatives." (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidihi, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah). This highlights the idea that giving Zakat to eligible family members can be a fulfilling way to support them while also fulfilling a religious obligation.
In conclusion, while Zakat cannot be given to blood relatives, it can be given to other family members who meet the eligibility criteria and are not financially dependent on the giver. It is important to consider the specific circumstances and consult Islamic scholars or reliable sources for guidance on this matter.
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It is permissible to give Zakat to your mother-in-law if she is needy
Muslim scholars disagree about the lawfulness of paying Zakat to family members. However, there is a consensus that a man cannot pay Zakat to his parents, wife, or dependent children. This is because wealth is usually considered shared between them, and giving Zakat to them will mean benefiting from one's own Zakat.
However, a wife can give Zakat to her husband, and a woman can give Zakat to her mother-in-law if she is needy and eligible to receive it. This is because the mother-in-law does not fall into the same category as parents, children, or spouses.
According to Islamic scholars, the following categories exist for giving Zakat within a family:
Close Blood Relatives (Usool): These are the closest eligible family members from whom heredity began and/or continues. This group includes a person's parents, grandparents, children, and/or grandchildren.
It is important to note that the purpose of Zakat is to purify one's wealth and provide for the needs of the community. It is also meant to help gain purity of mind. Therefore, when considering giving Zakat to a family member, it is essential to prioritize those in financial hardship and ensure that the recipient is eligible according to Islamic law.
In conclusion, it is permissible to give Zakat to one's mother-in-law if she is needy and meets the eligibility criteria for receiving Zakat.
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The limitations involving giving Zakat to family members are based on Hadith and research by Islamic jurists
The Islamic term "Zakat" means "obligatory charity". It is a religious obligation in Islam for Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to the needy. However, there are limitations on giving Zakat to family members, which are based on Hadith and extensive research by Islamic jurists.
The Quran identifies eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat, but there are individuals who are excluded from receiving it, and this is determined by the relationship between the giver and the recipient. The restrictions and guidelines regarding family members are derived from Hadith and in-depth study by Islamic jurists. One of the reasons for these limitations is to ensure that Zakat remains accessible to the broader public and does not remain within a single family.
Islamic scholars have categorised family members into three types: Immediate/Close Blood Relatives (Usool), Distant Relatives (Furoo), and Spouses. Close blood relatives include parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren. Distant relatives include siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and other relatives who are not Usool members. Spouses are a separate category.
There is disagreement among scholars about the lawfulness of paying Zakat to certain family members. According to some scholars, a man cannot pay Zakat to his parents, wife, or dependent children. However, a wife can give Zakat to her husband, and some even say she should, as it will bring a higher divine reward. According to the Shafi' and Malik schools of thought, it is permissible to give Zakat to close blood relatives as long as the giver has no financial responsibility towards the relative.
The Prophet is quoted as saying, "Sadaqah to the needy is merely sadaqah, while it is both sadaqah and a kindness to kin when given to relatives," (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidihi, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah) indicating that giving charity to relatives is twice as commendable in the eyes of God. However, another reason for the limitations on giving Zakat to family members is to ensure that the giver has fulfilled their obligation to provide for their family before giving to others.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can give Zakat to your father-in-law if he is eligible to receive it and you are not already financially responsible for him.
According to the Quran, there are eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat: the poor, those who have some wealth but not enough to meet basic needs, people who collect and distribute Zakat, people sympathetic towards Islam or wishing to convert, people in debt, those who work in God's way and strive to give Dawah, and travellers or wayfarers who are needy.
Yes, you can give Zakat to family members who are not your immediate blood relatives (son, daughter, wife, parents, or grandparents) or dependents, as long as they are eligible to receive it.
