Question:

What do the scholars and experts of Islam say about the following people, can they receive Zakat?

1. Uncle, auntie, and cousin
2. Maternal uncle and auntie, maternal grandparent’s, and maternal cousins
3. Father’s sister, her husband and their children
4. Sister, who is married
5. Nephew and niece
6. Giving household furniture instead of cash
7. A student
8. Brother-in-law
9. Someone who looks poor but may have wealth.
10. Beggars
11. Who are the real the recipients of Zakat?
12. Can Zakat be spent on Mawlid or other feasts?

Answer

1. Uncle, auntie and cousin are recipients if they do not have Nisab.
2. Maternal uncle, auntie and cousins are recipients, but not grandparents.
3. Father’s sister and her husband and their children, all can receive Zakat.
4. Sister, who is married can receive Zakat if she is needy.
5. Nephew and niece can receive Zakat
6. Money for furniture can be given.
7. It is permissible for students to recieve Zakat.
8. Brother-in-law can also receive Zakat
9. It is permissible to give Zakat to someone who looks to be poor but may have wealth.
10. It is permissible but not encouraged to give Zakat to beggars.
11. Zakat cannot be given to a Hashmi , a wealthy person, one’s father, son, daughter, grandchildren, parents, grandparents or one’s wife. Apart from these categories of people, Zakat can be given to all those who are in need.
12. It is not permissible to spend Zakat on Mawlid or other feasts of this kind.

And Allah ﷻ knows best

Imam Ahmad Rida Khan رحمة الله تعالى عليه

Translation by Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari Translator of Majestic Quran, www.majesticquran.co.uk