Validity of Providing Zakat for Sick And Unemployed Elder Brother’s Expenses
My retired father, who previously worked for the government, received a significant sum upon retirement. He deposited this money into a Mudarabah savings account in an Islamic Shariah-compliant bank, yielding monthly profits sufficient to support both him and my mother. However, due to my elder brother’s illness and unemployment, my father now bears his expenses too. Considering the financial strain, would it be valid if I provide Zakat money to assist with my brother’s expenses?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It’s more rewarding to pay zakat to relatives; other than parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and spouses, if they are zakat eligible.
So if your brother is not Syed or Hashmite, does not own 52.5 tola silver or it’s equivalent in cash or goods or both. Excluding house, car, clothing, cellphone, laptop, furniture, appliances etc as these are basic needs.
May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala grant your brother a speedy recovery and bless you all.