This excerpt is taken from the book of Fadhilat al-Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani, may Allah have mercy on him, Ahkam and Masail of Ramadan.
Can I give Zakat to my siblings after my father's death?
Question:.
Is it permissible for me to give Zakat and Sadaqat al-Fitr to my siblings who are not earning yet and are being raised by my mother after my father's death? And is it permissible to give Zakat to those siblings who are not small but I believe they are in need of this money, and perhaps their need is greater than those to whom I currently give Zakat?
Fatwa:.
Giving Zakat to your relatives and close ones is preferable and better than giving it to those who are not your relatives. Because giving charity to your close ones is a double reward; it is both charity and maintaining family ties. However, if there are such relatives on whom it is your responsibility to spend, then Zakat cannot be given to them. And if you give them Zakat for the reason that it will reduce the amount you are already spending on them, then doing so is not permissible.
