Zakat to Needy Parents

Question

A certain man has a daughter who has married. Now the maintenance (nafaqa) of her parents is surely not wajib upon this girl — so may the girl give zakat money to her father or mother, when her parents are in need? And if she may not give zakat, is it then wajib upon this girl to help them?

Answer

It is not proper to give them zakat. If they are in need, their maintenance is also wajib; they should also be helped by way of upholding the ties of kinship (silat al-rahim).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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