Can You Give Zakat to Your Mother-in-Law?

Answered By Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question:If your mother in law is divorced and only receives state support (about Euro 300 a month + govt. flat) – can you give her your Zakat? More generally if someone is not above the Nisaab but has a regular income do they qualify for zakat.

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Benevolent, the Merciful

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits

It is permissible to give one’s zakat to a needy in-law. In fact, there is greater reward in doing so than in giving zakat to strangers, as it also has the meaning of maintaining family ties (silat al-rahim). [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

It is only impermissible to give one’s zakat to one’s most immediate relations: (1) spouse; (2) parents and their parents; (3) children and their children. (It isn’t impermissible to give one’s zakat to one’s siblings, though.) [ibid.]

Related Answers:

Can I Give Zakat to Immediate Relatives or a Mosque?

The Twofold Virtue of Giving Charity to One’s Family

Giving Zakat al-Fitr To Needy Family Members

And Allah alone gives success.