He was asked (may Allah have mercy on him):

“Is it permissible to give zakat to one’s parents and children whom one is not obliged to support?”

He replied:

Those who receive zakat fall into two categories:

Those who receive it because of their own need, such as the poor and those who have incurred debts for their own purposes.

Those who receive it because of the needs of the Muslims, such as those fighting in Allah’s cause and those who have incurred debts to reconcile disputing parties. Such people may be given zakat even if they are one’s relatives.

As for giving zakat to one’s parents, if they are in debt or under contracts of manumission, there are two views; the more convincing view is that this is permissible. If, however, they are poor and one is unable to support them, the stronger view is that giving them zakat in this situation is permissible. This is because the grounds for entitlement are present and no impediment exists. These grounds must therefore be given effect, since no countervailing consideration of equal force opposes them.