Mufti Online — Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen

Is my brother in law a recipient of zakaat?

Published as Giving zakaat to one's brother in law

· 28 Rabiʻ I 1447 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

Is my brother in law a recipient of zakaat?

My sister and her husband have a few debts but at the same time they have a TV and phones and Alhamdulillah food in their home, water and electricity, and a nice home to live in even though it is on rent.

We feel it will be incorrect to give zakaat to them because they are not termed under masakeen, poor or destitute but they do have debts to finish off.

My brother in law has recently opened his own business and slowly getting onto his feet.

Answer

If his debts are more than his assets and whatever he owns, then in this case, he will be eligible to receive zakaat and it will be permissible for you to assist him pay off his debts with zakaat.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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Source: Mufti Online — Madrasah Ta'leemuddeen — https://muftionline.co.za/node/36211
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