Is it permissible to include all family members in the intention of a charity (sadaqah)? And does the reward for the giver of charity (mutasaddiq) diminish if he intends it for others? What are the best intentions to receive the full reward? And is it better to give charity for building a mosque or to needy relatives?

It is permissible to include parents and others in voluntary charity (sadaqah (definition) al-tatawwu’). It is preferable for the one giving a voluntary charity to intend it for all believing men and women, because it reaches them, and nothing diminishes from his reward. Building mosques is among the best acts of devotion and greatest in reward, and it is a form of ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah). Charity given to needy relatives is better than giving to others. As for preferring between giving charity to the needy and building mosques, one should consider the degree of need for each and act upon what is more compelling.