Is it permissible for a woman to pay her zakat from her wealth to her unemployed husband?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is it permissible for a woman to pay her zakat from her wealth to her husband who is unemployed?

Answer:
This is a matter of scholarly disagreement. The issue is whether she pays the zakat to her husband or not, because her husband provides for her, or if she pays it to him, he spends it on her, and it is as if she wants her zakat to return to her. For this reason, some scholars say it is not permissible, while some say it is permissible because Zaynab al-Thaqafiyyah asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about her husband, Ibn Mas'ud, who was poor and in need of assistance: "Do I give him my charity?" He said, "Yes." The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) issued a ruling for her that she should give him her charity. However, they differed regarding this charity: is it voluntary charity or zakat? Therefore, there is disagreement in this issue. Avoiding it is undoubtedly the most cautious and best course of action. Yes.