Is it permissible to give zakat to needy relatives, and what are the financial rights of the Household (dhawu al-qurba) that the state must pay them, and are they rewarded for not taking it if it is not paid?

Scholars have differed on the issue of the permissibility of giving zakat (definition) to the Household of the Prophet (Ahl al-Bayt) if they are deprived of their right from the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal). Al-Nawawi and Al-Rafi'i from the Shafi'i school held the view of impermissibility, while Al-Mardawi from the Hanbali school, Al-Hattab from the Maliki school, a group from the Hanafi school, and others held the view of permissibility. The right of Ahl al-Bayt in the public treasury is one-fifth of the one-fifth of the spoils (fay' or ghana'im), as stated in the Holy Quran. If Ahl al-Bayt lose their aforementioned share, they will attain heavenly reward if they patiently endure and seek recompense for that from Allah Almighty. It is permissible for a person to give zakat to his poor relatives, with the exception of parents and children whose maintenance is obligatory upon him.