Is my spending on my three children from bank interest considered zakat, such that I only give my zakat to them?
It is not permissible for a mother to give her zakat to her children if she is obligated to spend on them, because zakat would then fulfill an obligation upon her, making it as if she spent the zakat on herself. A mother's spending on her child is obligatory if three conditions are met: 1- The absence of the father or his insolvency. 2- The mother being wealthy. 3- The child being poor. If spending is not obligatory upon her, and they are poor, then it is permissible for her to give them from her zakat. If the father is well-off, then the spending is on him, and it is permissible for the mother to give her children from her zakat. It is permissible for a woman to take a loan from her husband for her own expenses and her children's expenses, then demand it from him. It is preferable to have witnesses to this or to refer the matter to a judge. If the bank is usurious, it is not permissible to deposit money in it or to take interest from it, because it is prohibited usury. Repentance is required, and the money must be withdrawn and deposited in an Islamic bank if available.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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