The Ruling on Paying Blood Money from Zakah to the Heirs of the Murdered

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is it permissible to pay blood money to the awliya (close friends of Allah) of the murdered person from zakah so that retaliation is not carried out?

Answer:
No, it is not permissible from zakah. This is not permissible from zakah; because the blood money for accidental killing or quasi-intentional killing is on the 'aqilah (the killer's clan), it is not on the killer, it is on the 'aqilah, whereas the 'aqilah of the killer is... and as for the intentional killing, if they pardon it. So the killer bears it, the 'aqilah does not bear it, the 'aqilah does not bear a settlement. So if he bears it and he does not have the means to pay it, yes, he is given from zakah; because he is a debtor for himself.