‘Can we distribute our zakat to our family or closest relatives?’ This question keeps coming up in conversations among Muslims. Some people believe that it is permissible, because anyone who needs help is entitled to receive zakat. Others believe that it is not permissible because they are related to us by blood. So, what exactly is the law of distributing zakat to one’s own family or closest relatives?
The Law of Channelling Zakat to Family
In the Qur’an surah Al-Baqarah verse 215, Allah Swt asserts to His people that our family and closest relatives are the ones who have the right to help us.
‘They ask about what they spend. Answer: ‘Whatever money you spend, give it to your parents, relatives, orphans, the poor and those who are travelling. And whatever good you do, Allah knows best.’ (QS. Al-Baqarah: 215)
If any of our family or relatives are in need of help, then we are the first person who is obliged to help them. However, are they also entitled to receive zakat or alms from us? Not necessarily.
Read also: Easy Way to Pay Income Zakat, Your Zakat Can Be Picked Up!
Why Does Allah Require Zakat?
Before knowing whether it is permissible for us to distribute zakat to family or relatives, we need to know first the reason why Allah Swt obliges its people to pay zakat. In fact, the rules that Allah has set for mankind are all for the benefit of mankind itself.
Allah SWT requires zakat for humans, among others, to foster noble morals with a high sense of humanity, eliminate miserliness, as well as clean and develop the assets they have. Allah Himself has promised in the Qur’an that if the servant is grateful – in this case giving zakat – then He will definitely increase His favour to that person. On the other hand, if a person fails to do so, then he or she should be prepared for Allah’s painful punishment.
‘Indeed, if you give thanks, We will surely increase (favours) to you, and if you deny (My favours), then surely My punishment is very painful’. (QS. Ibrahim: 7)
Zakat is the right of mustahik. This is because zakat has a function to help and rescue them from distress, especially the poor. Through zakat, the mustahik can feel a better life. This means that through the obligation of zakat that has been stipulated in sharia, one can help the lives of the poor and other suffering people.
Zakat for Family
Are our families or closest relatives entitled to receive zakat and sadaqah from us? Or are they entitled to receive alms from us? Quoting the Zakat Guidebook published by the Sharia Council of Dompet Dhuafa, there are three religious views about distributing zakat to family or relatives.
First, channelling zakat to family or relatives is permissible. With a note, zakat is given to families who are really poor, belong to the 8 asnaf group, and their income is not enough to meet their basic needs.
Not all families or relatives may receive zakat. Parents and above and descendants (children and below) are not eligible to receive zakat. This means that we should not give our zakat to our children, or grandchildren. Similarly, we should not give zakat to our parents up to our grandparents.
If any of them give zakat to family or relatives, we need to be careful. The reason is that if we give zakat to families who are not actually mustahik, then our zakat obligation is not canceled or has not been fulfilled.
The scholars describe the people who are entitled to receive zakat as those whose basic needs are Rp1 million, but their income is only Rp800 thousand. This person can only be categorized as poor, because he has no one to support him. However, if he earns Rp800 thousand, but there is someone who fully supports his life, then he is not entitled to receive zakat from us.This activity was carried out by the Coordinating Minister for PMK, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, HFI, DD, Rumah Zakat, DT Peduli, & Human Initiative.
Read also: Types of Zakat in Islamic Law
Secondly, giving charity to family or relatives is permissible. For alms or infaq, we may give to anyone. The virtue of alms can be seen from various aspects or you can read it here: 5 Virtues of Almsgiving According to the Quran and Hadith.
Alms will be more affdhal if given to people who really need it. Alms are also more affdhal to be given to the closest people, including family and relatives. Almsgiving can also be more affdhal if done at certain times. So, the validity of charity can be seen from various sides. Therefore, if there is a relative who needs charity, we should be the first to extend help to him.
Different from the first and second views, the third view is about providing for family or relatives. A person has an obligation to provide for those under his responsibility. For example, a father is obliged to provide for his children. The husband is obliged to provide for his wife. The same applies to someone who has relatives. A relative has an obligation to provide for his relative, when the relative is in a difficult and incapable condition, and there is no other close person to provide for him.
Thus, it is clear that the ruling on distributing zakat to family or relatives is permissible, if the conditions are in accordance with religious law. In the meantime, we can also give alms and are obliged to provide for our family or relatives who need help or assistance. Wallahua’lam …
If you want to give zakat and alms easily and practically to other than your family, you can channel it through Dompet Dhuafa. You can do this by clicking the link below. Your mandate will be delivered to those who really need it, Insha Allah … (RQA)