The Practising Muslim · Fiqh of Zakah

Zakah Eligibility and Distribution Rules

Explore who can give and receive zakah, including relatives and non-Muslims.

6 questions · Medium · about 3 minutes

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1. When may zakah be given to a poor relative?

  • When the relative is eligible for zakah and the giver is not obligated to spend on them. (correct answer)
  • Whenever the relative asks, even if the giver must support them.
  • Only if the relative is not related by blood.
  • Only if no poor strangers are available.

Why

Giving zakah to an eligible poor relative is better than giving it to a non-relative because it is both charity and upholding kinship. But zakah cannot be used to replace maintenance that the giver is already obligated to provide.

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2. May a poor person give zakat al-fitr to another poor person if they have surplus food on Eid?

  • Yes, if they have the required surplus and there is no trick or stipulation. (correct answer)
  • No, a poor person can never give zakat al-fitr.
  • Yes, but only if the recipient promises to return it.
  • No, unless the recipient is a close relative.

Why

Zakat al-fitr is obligatory on a Muslim who has one saa‘ of staple food beyond what they and their dependents need for the day and night of Eid. If a poor person has that surplus, they may give it to another poor person. It must not be a trick where the giver stipulates that it be returned.

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3. May zakah be given to a poor married woman whose husband does not provide for her?

  • Yes, if she is poor and her husband does not spend on her. (correct answer)
  • No, because every married woman is automatically free of need.
  • Only if she first takes him to court.
  • No, unless she has no children.

Why

A husband is obligated to spend on his wife. But if he is unable or refuses to spend on her, and she is poor and has no wealth, she may receive zakah according to her need.

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4. May someone give zakah to a poor mother-in-law?

  • Yes, if she is poor and needy. (correct answer)
  • No, because in-laws can never receive zakah.
  • Only if she is related by blood.
  • Only if no other poor person can be found.

Why

A mother-in-law may receive zakah if she is poor and needy. The source states that she may even be more entitled than others because of the marital relationship, as long as the normal conditions of zakah eligibility are met.

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5. May zakah be given to non-Muslims?

  • No, except to someone whose heart is inclined toward Islam. (correct answer)
  • Yes, to any non-Muslim who is poor.
  • No, under absolutely every circumstance.
  • Yes, but only if they are close relatives.

Why

Zakah and zakat al-fitr are not normally given to non-Muslims. The exception mentioned is someone whose heart may be inclined toward Islam, meaning there is hope that giving zakah may help bring them to Islam.

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6. Why is it not permissible to give zakah to someone whom the giver is obligated to support?

  • Because the giver would indirectly save their own money, as if giving zakah to themselves. (correct answer)
  • Because relatives can never receive zakah.
  • Because zakah must always be sent to another country.
  • Because zakah is only for strangers.

Why

Poor relatives may receive zakah if they are eligible and the giver is not obligated to support them. But if the giver is obligated to spend on that person, using zakah would replace the giver’s own required spending, so the benefit returns to the giver.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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