Question
Can zakat be given to a married son or daughter?
Answer by Fadilat al-Bahith Nu’man Khaleeq (may Allah preserve him)
The general rule is that ascendants (usul) and descendants (furu’) cannot give zakat to one another. That is, parents cannot give zakat to their children, and children cannot give zakat to their parents.
However, if there is a special situation, such as debt or severe financial hardship, then zakat may be given in such a case.
Fatwa of Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him)
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:
“Can a person give zakat to his children?”
He answered:
There is detail in this. If a father gives zakat to his child with the intention of not having to bear their maintenance (nafaqah) himself, then this is not permissible. But if a father wishes to pay a debt on behalf of his son, he may do so. For example: the son hit someone’s car and, because of the accident, the other person suffered a loss of 10,000 riyals; then the father may pay this amount from his zakat.
Giving zakat to a married daughter in case of poverty and destitution
If a daughter is in a state of poverty and destitution, the father may give her zakat.
Sahih al-Bukhari mentions an incident that:
“A man named Yazid placed charity money in the mosque so that it would be given to someone who deserved it. By chance, his son came and took that money. When Yazid came to know of it, he said:
وَاللّه مَا اِیَّاکَ اَرَدْتُّ
“By Allah, I did not intend it for you.”
When the Prophet ﷺ was informed of this matter, he said:
“لَکَ مَا نَوَیْتَ یَا یَزِیْد وَ لَكَ مَا اَخَذْتَ یَا مَعْن”
“O Yazid! For you is what you intended, and O Ma’n! What you took is permissible for you.”
Although this hadith mentions a son, the same ruling applies to a daughter, especially when her husband is unemployed, missing, or has died.
