Ruling on zakat for a widow who saves for future needs

Question

The husband of Mrs Zahida Khatun passed away four years ago. The deceased left no property of any kind — no house, no cash, no jewellery — but three sons and two daughters remain as his legacy, who are still minors. The expenses of the widow and the children have been borne, from the death of the deceased until now, by the deceased’s elder brother — two hundred rupees a month.

Answer

Now it is not permissible for the widow to take zakat; zakat has itself become wajib upon the widow. If she gives this money to the minor sons and daughters, ending her own ownership, and herself keeps it in her possession as a custodian and trustee (amin)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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