Zakaat

Giving zakaat to na-baaligh children

Q: Can we give zakat of 10 hazar ruppee every month to one brothers children who are small. The brother is divorced and he has to provide for his kids who are living with his ex wife. The brother has married again and has to support his wife and his dad and he earns so less that he cannot afford to give 10 hazar to his children. Can the sister and other family members like cousins pay zakat to him so he can pay his children?

Giving zakaat to a paralyzed person

Q: My aunt is a stroke patient, she is mentally and physically paralised. I would like to help her with zakat money. Can I buy her medicines or other stuff for her with zakat money. Since she is not mentally stable I can not make her the owner of the wealth. She has a son and a husband but I dont trust them to spend the money on her.

Zakaat on jewellery, loans and outstanding debts

Q:

1. Is zakaat mandatory on the jewellery given by the in laws at the time of nikaah, which is with me after my divorce? My ex husband told me that he will pay my meher and take that jewellery back but it's almost one and half year. Should I give zakaat of that as I am giving zakaat of my other things?

2. Is zakaat mandatory on my saved money, of last 6-8 months?

3. Is zakaat to be given on my money which was given to my ex husband as a loan, but now as we got divorced, there is less chances of repay?

4. What about the meher which is also not paid?

Taking food from food banks

Q: What is the ruling for taking food from food banks (that give food to anyone who comes? My family is not poor but can have a tight budget of halal income and my mom goes to food banks to get food because anyone can. Also, if someone takes food from a food bank without needing it, does the food become haram?

Also, the food banks get donations from halal meat places, and some of the packaging has company name and the halal symbol on it but some don't (because the separate them into plastic bags). The people at the food bank say that the one's that don't have labels on it also came from halal stores. Is it permissible to eat these?

When will one be eligible for zakaat?

Q: I am self employed. My business has been struggling for the past 7 months. I have not been able to meet my commitments by paying my suppliers who have now stopped my account. I am not able to provide for my family the way I used to. Allhamdullilah I have been able to provide food with the mercy of Allah. I know I can turn my business around with some financial help. I place my faith and trust in Allah.

My question is that when I ask for financial help, my fellow brothers want to offer me Zakaat. I am shocked, confused and don't know if I am a Zakaat candidate. Alhamdulillah I have everything besides money and no business. I am in big debt as well. Do I qualify for Zakaat, as I am not comfortable with it. I have to consider my family as well.