Giving zakat to a co-sharer

Question

(1) Zayd and Bakr are maternal uncle and nephew (sister’s son). Both live in one house, which is Bakr’s property. Bakr is destitute and poor. May Zayd give Bakr zakat money for the repair of this very house — given that both benefit from the repair — and may Bakr put this money into repairs and the like? (2) The food of Zayd and Bakr is prepared in common. May Zayd have provisions of food and drink bought with zakat money and give them to Bakr?

Answer

(1) If the nephew gives zakat to his maternal uncle, it is valid according to the Shari‘a, provided it is not under any pressure. Then the uncle has the choice to spend it wherever he wishes — on building the house and the like. (2) If the zakat money was given to Bakr, then he bought provisions, and that food was cooked jointly with Zayd, it is valid according to the Shari‘a.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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