The Ruling on Giving Zakah to Relatives and the Ancestors and Descendants of the One Paying Zakah

The questioner:
His final question says: What is the ruling on giving zakah from an uncle to his brother's sons if they are poor, and likewise from a maternal uncle? And is it permissible to give zakah to the ancestors or descendants of the one paying zakah? And if a man wants to get married, is zakah given to him if he is eligible?

The Shaykh:
Yes, if a man wants to get married and he is poor and cannot get married except with help, he is helped from the zakah; he is the most deserving of it. Likewise, giving zakah to a relative, such as an uncle or a maternal uncle and their relatives, is valid, because charity to a relative carries two rewards: the reward of charity and the reward of maintaining family ties, as mentioned in the hadith. As for the ancestors and descendants of the one paying zakah, no, zakah is not valid for them. It is not permissible for the zakah of a son to go to his father, nor for the zakah of a father to go to his son; because it is obligatory for each of them to provide for his ancestor or descendant if they are in need, so that he does not use zakah as a protection for his wealth. Yes.