Giving Zakah to kinsfolk

Q 2: I have some indigent relatives; if I have to pay money in charity, is it permissible to give it to them as Sadaqah (voluntary charity)?


A: If you mean Zakah (obligatory charity), it is permissible for your to pay it to them if they are included in the eight categories of Zakah beneficiaries, excluding your ascending heir like your parents (Part No. 8; Page No. 362) and your descending heirs like your children.If you intend to give Sadaqah (voluntary charity), it is permissible to give it to any of your relative, even parents, children, or anyone else. It is better to give Sadaqah to relatives according to what is reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) who said: Your Sadaqah to the needy is regarded as one good deed, but paying it to your relatives is both Sadaqah and maintaining ties of kinship. (Related by Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y and Imam Ahmad)May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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