Short answer
Yes, to most relatives who are eligible, and it earns a double reward. You cannot give zakat to your parents or grandparents, your children or grandchildren, or your husband or wife. Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws may receive it if they are eligible.
Zakat given to one's ascendants (usul), descendants (furu') or spouse is not valid, because the giver shares in its benefit. Zakat given to other eligible relatives is valid, and it is better than giving to strangers.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- A wife may give her zakat to her husband if he is eligible.
Explanation
In the Hanafi school, these relatives cannot receive your zakat, however poor they are:
- Your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, on both sides.
- Your children, grandchildren and their descendants.
- Your husband or wife (see can a wife give zakat to her husband).
The reason is that wealth moves freely between these people. Parents and children support each other, and a gift to them comes back to the giver in some way, so it is not a full handing over to someone else. Help them from your other money: supporting needy parents is itself a duty and a great act of worship.
All other relatives may receive your zakat if they are eligible: brothers and sisters, their children, uncles and aunts, cousins, parents-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, and step-children. The Prophet ﷺ said charity to a relative counts twice, as charity and as keeping family ties. Many scholars say needy relatives have the first claim on your zakat.
The usual conditions still apply. The relative must be eligible, for example poor or in debt, and must not be from Banu Hashim (see zakat to a Sayyid). You do not have to tell them it is zakat. Use the who can receive zakat checker if you are unsure.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Israa 17:26
وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا ﴿٢٦﴾
And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.
Relatives are named first among those with a right to our giving.
Sunan an-Nasa'i 2582
Graded sahih... إن الصدقة على المسكين صدقة وعلى ذي الرحم اثنتان صدقة وصلة ...
"Charity to a poor person is one charity, and to a relative it is two: charity and keeping the ties of kinship."
Giving to eligible relatives earns a double reward.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on those to whom zakat may and may not be paid. Zakat may not be paid to one's parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren or spouse.
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar with Radd al-Muhtar, Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on the recipients of zakat. Siblings, uncles, aunts and other relatives may receive zakat.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.