Title: Paying Zakat to divorced sister staying with me

Question: My step sister who is divorced and single and is dependent on me for more than 10 years now is staying with my family. She has a small source of income from her deposits in bank which she uses for her personal expenses. However, Alhamdulillah she is living with us in our house, so food and shelter is taken care by me. My question is can I still pay zakah to her to meet her personal needs and expenses, which she would use to buy clothing, and other miscellaneous expenditure?

Answer ID: 46488Posted on: Aug 30, 2020

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

(Fatwa: 1128/874/B=1434) If her deposit in the bank does not reach up to nisab i.e. she is eligible to receive zakah then you may give her zakah money. You should make the intention of zakah while giving to her. Do not tell her that it is zakah money.