Is it permissible for a woman to give her Zakat al-Mal to her 21-year-old son who lives with her, is studying, and does not wish to take out a loan to complete his studies, knowing that his income from working on weekly holidays is insufficient?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible for the one paying to give it to someone whose maintenance is obligatory upon them. A mother is not obligated to spend on her child unless three conditions are met: the absence of the father, the mother being wealthy, and the child being poor. If these three conditions are met, then maintenance becomes obligatory upon her, and she is not allowed to give him from Zakat. However, if the father is present, or the mother is unable to provide for him, then it is permissible for her to give him from Zakat, and likewise if he is indebted to pay off his debts.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/8650
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 8650
- 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