In Islam, among the five pillars, Zakat is one of the most important. Allah has directed the affluent Muslims to pay Zakat. There are certain prohibitions regarding giving Zakat, one of which is selecting eligible recipients for Zakat.
There are some individuals who are not eligible to receive Zakat, although they may be poor.
Zakat cannot be given to the following relatives:
1. Ascendants: Father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, great-grandmother, and their parents.
2. Descendants: Son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great-grandson, great-granddaughter, and their children.
3. Spouses: They cannot give Zakat to each other.
It should be noted that if siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc., are eligible to receive Zakat due to poverty, then Zakat can be given to them.
There is a special virtue in giving Zakat to needy relatives. Apart from maintaining family ties, various worldly and Hereafter benefits are obtained.
Sources:
1. Sunan al-Bayhaqi 7/28
2. Fatawa Khaniyah 1/267
3. Fatawa Tatar Khaniyah 3/206-207
4. Bada’i al-Sana’i 2/162
5. Ad-Durr al-Mukhtar 1/426
