Is it permissible for me to pay zakat to my mother and brother, knowing that I provide for their food, drink, and clothing, with the exception of housing which my sister provides? And is it permissible to pay zakat to my brother for private school tuition fees?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A poor mother's maintenance is obligatory upon her capable children, so it is not permissible to give her . It is permissible to give zakat to a poor brother who is unable to earn, even if he is being supported voluntarily. It is also permissible to give him zakat to cover study expenses if he is diligent and engaged in acquiring knowledge that Muslims need, and he finds it difficult to combine seeking knowledge and earning, because the benefit of his knowledge will return to the Muslims.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/92431
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 92431
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy