Is it permissible to give zakah to relatives who neglect performing the prayer in congregation, as they pray at home?

The questioner : Is it permissible to give zakah to my relatives, even though they are negligent in performing the prayer in congregation, as they pray at home?

The Shaykh : Yes, if they are among those eligible for zakah, there is nothing wrong with giving your zakah to them, on the condition that their financial maintenance is not obligatory upon you. If their maintenance is obligatory upon you, it is obligatory for you to spend on them from your wealth. Perhaps giving them your zakah will be a cause for their guidance. This ruling applies if they are praying but not praying in congregation. However, if they do not pray at all, it is not permissible for you to give them zakah, because they are disbelievers, and it is not permissible to give zakah to a disbeliever except to one who is being won over. The one being won over is the original disbeliever who was upon his disbelief, and he is being won over to Islam. As for the apostate, he must either return to Islam or be killed, and there is no other option.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge.