Q: 153 – Title: Can zakaat be given to son in law and syeds?

Question

1.      Please let me know if zakat can be paid to step sons if they are not sahibe nisaab.

2.      One Mufti in Pakistan gave fatwa that zakat can be paid to syeds if they are not sahibe nisab on the plea that during the period of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam and sahaba there were special arrangements to help syeds who are in need from Baitul Mal. But currently no such arrangement exists hence in the light of this one can pay zakat to syeds also who are not sahib nisab. Please clarify.

Thanks for your prompt response in advance.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh.

1. You may give zakat to your step sons if they are not Sahib Nisaab.[1]

2. Syeds are the descendents of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam from the progeny of Ali and Fatimah

radhiyallahu anhum. Syeds also fall within the extended family of Nabi salallahu ;alayhiywasallam

known as Banu Hashim. The descendents of the Banu Hashim have a lineage of high pedigree and

nobility. Hashim was the great grandfather of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam. The son of Hashim was

Abdul Mutallib who was also the grandfather of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam.

From amongst the progeny of Abdul Mutallib the descendents of the following cannot accept zakat;

a) 'Abbas radhiyallahu 'an (the uncle of Nabi salallahu ' alayhi wasallam)

b) Harith(the uncle of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam)

c) Ali radhiyallahu 'an (the cousin of Nabi salallahu ' alayhi wasallam)

d) 'Aqeel radhiyallahu 'an (the cousin of Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam)

e) Ja'far radhiyallahu 'an (the cousin of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam)

Zakat is considered to be the filth of one’s wealth. An individual offers zakat in order to purify the

rest of his wealth. It is not befitting for the family of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam to accept this

wealth. Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam had mentioned that Allah Ta'ala has prohibited the filth and

dirt found in peoples’ wealth (zakaat) for the Banu Hashim.

As Muslims we should exert ourselves in ensuring that the family of Nabi salallahu 'alayhi wasallam

is never in need of zakat. Our Iman dictates that we give preference to the family of Nabi salallahu

'alayhi wasallam over our own. If a Sayid family is ever in need then we should make arrangements

with lillah funds to try and relieve their situation. As a last resort if there is no other option an

individual could offer sadaqat to the Sayid family.[2]

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mawlana Ali bin Cassim

Student Darul Iftaa

Los angeles, CA (USA)

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

www.daruliftaa.net

[1] الجامع الصغير وشرحه النافع الكبير - (1 / 122)

وَيُعْطِي الرجل الزَّكَاة كل فَقير إِلَّا امْرَأَته وَولده وَولد الابْن والابنة ووالده ووالدته وَلَا يُعْطي مكَاتبه وَلَا مدبره وَلَا أم وَلَده وَلَا عبدا قد أعتق بعضه وَلَا تُعْطِي الْمَرْأَة زَوجهَا

الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) - (2 / 339)

(هُوَ فَقِيرٌ، وَهُوَ مَنْ لَهُ أَدْنَى شَيْءٍ) أَيْ دُونَ نِصَابٍ أَوْ قَدْرُ نِصَابٍ غَيْرِ نَامٍ مُسْتَغْرِقٍ فِي الْحَاجَةِ.

المحيط البرهاني في الفقه النعماني - (2 / 280)

قال الله تعالى: {إنما الصدقات للفقراء} (التوبة: 60) (138أ1) . والآية جامعة محل الصدقات من جملة ذلك الفقراء والمساكين

محمودية 9/517

رحيمية 7/181

[2] الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) - (2 / 350)

(وَ) لَا إلَى (بَنِي هَاشِمٍ)

المحيط البرهاني في الفقه النعماني - (2 / 284)

ولا يجوز أن يعطى من الزكاة فقراء بني هاشم

درر الحكام شرح غرر الأحكام - (1 / 191)

(وَبَنِي هَاشِمٍ) وَهُمْ آلُ عَلِيٍّ وَعَبَّاسٍ وَجَعْفَرٍ وَعَقِيلٍ وَالْحَارِثِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ لِقَوْلِهِ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - «يَا بَنِي هَاشِمٍ إنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ غُسَالَةَ أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ وَأَوْسَاخَهُمْ» (وَمَوَالِيهِمْ) أَيْ مُعْتَقِي بَنِي هَاشِمٍ لِمَا تَقَرَّرَ أَنَّ مَوْلَى الْقَوْمِ مِنْهُمْ

محمودية 9/551

كفاية المفتي 2/271