• Prayers & Duties >> Zakat & Charity

    Question ID: 170862Country: India

    Title: Can I give Zakat to My sister's husband?

    Question: My brother-in-law has a struggling business and also has some loan to payoff. He does not have enough wealth of his own to give Zakat, however he will inherit the house and a shop of his father which his father controls for now (They are not selling their property for now). On the other hand, my sister has some jewellery on which she gives Zakat. My question are: 1) Is it allowed for my sister to give zakah to her husband in this case? 2) Can I give Zakat to my brother-in-law such that he can use that for his business? (It is to be noted that he will spend the money from his business on his family which includes my sister who pays zakat on jewellery).

    Answer ID: 170862

    Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

    (1) Your sister cannot give her zakah to her husband even though he is eligible to receive zakah.

    (2) If your bahnoi is eligible to receive zakah then you may give your zakah to your bahnoi and after being its owner and taking it into his possession if he invests it in his business then too your zakah will be paid.

    (3) When you give your zakah to your bahnoi then after taking into his possession he will be its owner and it shall be lawful for him to spend it anywhere. If he spends this money on his family members then too there is no harm. Zakah is wajib on your sister. However, if your bahnoi spends it after taking into his possession on his wife then too there is no harm.

     

    Note: Your bahonoi’s father is sole owner of his property during his lifetime  and only he has all the rights. His children have no rights in his property. However, after his death all his leftover property will become his inheritance which will be distributed among his legal heirs as per Shariah rules.

    Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala) knows Best

    Darul Ifta,

    Darul Uloom Deoband, India