Using zakaat for funeral expenses

Q: My paternal Aunti (65 years old) who has no kids and recently her husband passed away as well. Can Zakaat be discharged to cover expenses of her husband's funeral plus to serve food to people who came on the occasion of her husband's death.

A: Zakaat cannot be used for the funeral expenses and all the more it cannot be used for feeding guests.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)