Is it permissible for a father to pay Zakat al-Fitr to his independent son who is working and living separately, in order to settle his debts since he is poor, rather than as a mandatory support from the father?
[AR_ID:2487]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):
It is not permissible to give Zakat to someone whose maintenance is obligatory upon the giver. However, if there are payments due to them that are not part of their personal maintenance, it is permissible to give them Zakat under that title.
Source: Fiqh al-Wali: On the Rulings of Zakat al-Fitr
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):
It is not permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr to those whose maintenance is obligatory upon the givers, such as parents and children (male or female). However, it is permissible to give them Zakat if they have needs that are not obligatory, such as if the parent or child has a wife whose maintenance is obligatory upon them, or if they have debts that must be settled, or if they have work that must be performed under a contract that is contingent upon funds.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Third Section on the Characteristics of Recipients + Vol. 3, Issue 440.
May you be successful in all good.