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Is it permissible to give zakat to a widow and her minor children, knowing that they have inherited money in the bank that cannot be disposed of except with the permission of the court?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Allah has specified the recipients of zakat in His exalted words: (Indeed, [prescribed] charitable donations are only for the poor and the needy...) [Quran 9:60]. The poor person is one who does not find what suffices him. If the mother does not find what suffices her, then her maintenance is obligatory from her son's wealth, if he has any. Therefore, the sister who has children with wealth under court administration should request a portion of it for her and her children's maintenance. If the court refuses, she should be given from zakat an amount sufficient for her and her children's needs. Giving zakat to the sister is better, due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Charity given to the poor is charity, and charity given to a relative is two: charity and maintaining ties of kinship."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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