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The question

Is it permissible to give zakat to employed children, and if not, what should the son do if his father forces him to take it?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Sons fall into three categories regarding taking zakat from their father:

1. First Case: If they are self-sufficient with their salaries, it is not permissible for them to take zakat, and the father's obligation is not fulfilled by giving it to them. 2. Second Case: If their salaries are insufficient for their expenses and their maintenance is obligatory upon the father, and the father possesses money other than zakat to spend on them, then it is not permissible for the father to give them zakat. Scholars have unanimously agreed that zakat is not permissible to be given to parents and children in a situation where the giver is compelled to provide for them. 3. Third Case: If they have debts that their salaries are insufficient to pay, or their salaries are insufficient for their expenses, and the father does not possess money other than zakat to spend on them, then some scholars have favored the permissibility for the father to give his zakat to his children in this case. This is because paying zakat in this case does not relieve the father of an obligation.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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