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Atta-ur-Rehman

Is Giving Zakat to My Parents Acceptable?

8 min read

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No, giving Zakat to your parents is not acceptable in Islam.

Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that Zakat cannot be given to parents or children because of the financial responsibilities that exist within the family.

A few valid reasons behind this ruling are as follows:

  • Obligation of Financial Support:

Islam mandates children support their parents in need, just as parents must support their children. This mutual responsibility is part of maintaining family ties and fulfilling duties towards immediate family members. Using Zakat for this purpose would contradict the concept of financial obligation.

  • Purpose of Zakat:

Zakat is an act of worship designed to purify wealth and help those outside the immediate family. It is intended to uplift society by addressing broader issues of poverty and inequality. Directing Zakat to parents or children would divert it from fulfilling its primary purpose.

  • Conflict of Interest:

Giving Zakat to parents could be seen as benefiting oneself indirectly, as it might relieve the giver of their duty to financially support their parents. To avoid this conflict of interest, Islamic law prohibits using Zakat for individuals whose financial support is already a direct responsibility.

  • Priority of Zakat Recipients:

The Qur'an specifies categories of people eligible to receive Zakat (Masarif-e-Zakat), such as the poor, the needy, and those in debt. Parents and children do not fall under these categories when their financial support is obligatory upon the giver. Therefore, Zakat should be directed to those who are most in need and not covered by familial obligations.

By distributing Zakat outside the immediate family, Islam ensures justice and fairness in addressing the needs of the wider community. At the same time, it reinforces familial bonds by emphasizing personal financial responsibility for parents and children.

And Allah knows best!

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WRITTEN BY

Atta-ur-Rehman

Atta-ur-Rehman, a specialist in Fiqh from Fazal-Jamiat-ul-Uloom-ul-Shariah, Jama'at ul-Umar Karachi, is an expert in Islamic jurisprudence. His expertise spans various aspects of Shariah, including Zakat, financial rulings, family laws, and ethical guidance in everyday life. With a deep understanding of Islamic principles, he provides a reliable insights into matters of faith, worship, and personal obligations.