I have a sum of money, and in the first year I paid its zakah, praise be to Allah, but I was ignorant of the conditions for paying zakah to whom it is paid, and I have a son, my mother, and my sisters.
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The questioner : I have a sum of money, and in the first year I paid its zakah, praise be to Allah, but I was ignorant of the conditions for paying zakah to whom it is paid. I have a son, my mother, and my sisters, and I distributed it among them...
The Shaykh : Yes? A son?
The questioner : I have a son, my mother, and my sisters, and I distributed it among them. Please note that my brother and I were partners in this money for which zakah was paid, and after about two years passed, I gave my brother his share. By chance, I asked one of the scholars who has experience, and he said: “Your zakah to your mother is not permissible because she is among those you are religiously obligated to support, and you are required to spend on her. You must return that zakah and pay it to those who are entitled to it.” So in this case, what should I do? Do I return the zakah paid to my mother and my sisters, or only the amount paid to my mother, or is it accepted? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : The zakah you paid to your mother is not sufficient because you are obligated to provide for her. As for the zakah you paid to your sisters, if you are obligated to provide for them, then paying them zakah is also not sufficient, and you must make up for it. However, if you are not obligated to provide for them and they are poor, then paying them your zakah is permissible and absolves your responsibility, and you do not need to make up for it. This is because the general rule is that you do not pay zakah to anyone you are obligated to support, unless you pay it to them to settle a debt they owe that is not for their maintenance. Yes.
The questioner : This caller is from Iraq, Maysan Governorate. His message is long, O honorable Shaykh, but in summary, he says.
The Shaykh : Yes? A son?
The questioner : I have a son, my mother, and my sisters, and I distributed it among them. Please note that my brother and I were partners in this money for which zakah was paid, and after about two years passed, I gave my brother his share. By chance, I asked one of the scholars who has experience, and he said: “Your zakah to your mother is not permissible because she is among those you are religiously obligated to support, and you are required to spend on her. You must return that zakah and pay it to those who are entitled to it.” So in this case, what should I do? Do I return the zakah paid to my mother and my sisters, or only the amount paid to my mother, or is it accepted? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : The zakah you paid to your mother is not sufficient because you are obligated to provide for her. As for the zakah you paid to your sisters, if you are obligated to provide for them, then paying them zakah is also not sufficient, and you must make up for it. However, if you are not obligated to provide for them and they are poor, then paying them your zakah is permissible and absolves your responsibility, and you do not need to make up for it. This is because the general rule is that you do not pay zakah to anyone you are obligated to support, unless you pay it to them to settle a debt they owe that is not for their maintenance. Yes.
The questioner : This caller is from Iraq, Maysan Governorate. His message is long, O honorable Shaykh, but in summary, he says.