Recipients of Zakaat

Q: Can zakaat and sadaqatul fitr be given to minors who do not possess the zakaat nisaab?

Q: A person is living in a condition where he is need of zakaat, however he is an heir to his father’s inheritance, which for years has not distributed and neither is it known when will it be distributed due to procedures and complications, etc. Can zakaat be given to him now due to his present state and condition?

Q: I have two uncles in my home country Bangladesh. One of them has a small business, but cannot make any profit, he does not own significant amount of gold jewellery. Is he eligible for zakaat? My other uncle cultivates the land and gets monly helps from other relatives. He does not have significant jewellery. Can he also be eligible for zakaat?

Q: Can my husband give towards my family (his in laws) his zakaat?

Q: My sickly parents are elderly and my father’s salary does not cover household expenses. My sister requires aid in her studies. She is a full time student and can zakaat money be given to her for her studies and do I have to tell her that it is Zakaat?

Q: What are the requirements for a widow to be eligible for zakaat if she has no income of her own but does have jewellery.

Q: Can zakaat be used to pay maintenance for a child born out of wedlock with a non muslim mother? The child does not live with the father who is married himself with children.

Q: I earn a salary of R13000.00 and I have seven children. Alhamdulillah, my expenses of rental, lights and water, maid, school fees, an interest free loan that I took to buy a car and petrol add up to R8700.00 which doesn’t leave us much for Food, nappies, clothing and medical. Am I justified in approaching someone for a monthly assistance in the form of zakaat to pay either my rental or lights and water? Neither my wife nor I own any gold or jewellery. A flat that my mother is presently occupying will only become mine after her demise, may Allah grant her long life, aameen. My father left property in India for us but I do not possess the means or the knowhow of acquiring this. 

Q: I have a problem with regards to a person whose owing money to me and I don’t know how else to handle the situation according to how Allah would expect me to. About 2 years ago, I was selling used motor vehicles and was closing down the business and getting rid of the stock that I never sold.

Q: There is a destitute Muslim woman who is deserving of Zakaat, but feels embarrassed and does not accept it. An Aapa wishes to give her Zakaat. I shall be running a home-school next year, Insha-Allah. The Aapa suggested that I take assistance from this destitute lady in the form of student supervision, and she will give her the Zakaat and tell her that it is wages. Whereas, the Aapa and I both know that it is not wages as it is not an employment as such, and as she is very sickly, she will only come when she is well. I would like to know if the Aapa's suggestion is permissible.