Is it permissible to give zakat al-mal (obligatory charity on wealth) to one's mother for renovating her apartment, knowing that she receives a good pension after the father's death, and the zakat is being given from money saved after a full year has passed, and the one giving zakat used to give it previously to the poor and those with special needs?

It is not permissible to give zakat (definition) on wealth to the mother if she is not among those deserving of zakat, such as for renewing something in the apartment that is a luxury. Even if she is in need, it is not permissible to give her zakat because her maintenance is obligatory upon the son, and giving her zakat benefits the son by relieving him of the maintenance obligation. Some scholars have permitted this in cases where the son is unable to provide for her maintenance. Zakat must be given to the eight categories of recipients mentioned in the verse from Surat At-Tawbah (definition): ﴿Indeed, [prescribed] charitable donations are only for the poor and the needy, and those who work on [collecting] them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for [freeing] captives, and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer; [this is] an obligation from Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.﴾ (At-Tawbah:60). Acquired wealth follows its origin in the calculation of the hawl (one lunar year) if it is profit; otherwise, it has its own separate hawl.