circumstances when they are poor and he is wealthy, whether they are heirs or non-heirs.

Shaykh al-Islam said: It is permissible to give zakah to one’s parents and grandparents, however far back the line extends, and to one’s children and descendants, however far down the line extends, if they are poor and he is unable to support them.

It may be said: Eligibility for zakah is conditional upon a qualifying description, such as poverty, need, or being appointed to administer it. Thus, everyone to whom such a description applies is entitled to zakah. Whoever claims that someone is excluded must provide evidence. There is no evidence in this matter. Therefore, the sounder and preponderant view is that one may give zakah to one’s ascendants and descendants, so long as one is not thereby discharging an obligation incumbent upon oneself. If one is obliged to support them, then one may not give them zakah, because this would mean relieving oneself of the duty of maintenance.

Accordingly, if a man has a grandfather and a father, both of whom are poor, but his father has sufficient means to support him and does so, then he may not give his father zakah.

As for the grandfather, if he does not have sufficient means to support him and is poor, then he may give him zakah.

Another example: A man has a mother and a grandmother. He supports his mother, but his wealth is insufficient to support his grandmother, so he may give her zakah.

According to the madhhab, this is not permissible, and she must receive zakah from someone else. This view is very weak indeed. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Charity given to a relative is both charity and the maintenance of kinship ties.” (1) I am not relieving myself of an obligation, such that it could be said that I have protected myself.