Is it permissible to give Zakat to a woman whose son is able to work but does not, knowing that her son takes money from her to buy cigarettes, while there are other poor people more in need of these funds?

The recipients of Zakat are specified in the Holy Quran as eight categories, and it is not permissible to give it to a rich person or a strong person capable of earning a living. It is permissible to give Zakat to a poor woman who has no one to support her, even if her son refuses to work and provide for her. She should be given according to her needs, and she owns this money to dispose of as she wishes. However, she would be sinful if she used it to assist in something unlawful. As for charity (sadaqah), its scope is wider, but the giver of charity must not assist in a sin through it. It is also important to advise the son who refuses to work and neglects his mother.