Whether the grandson’s sadaqat al-fitr is due from the grandfather

Question

Zayd is an owner of the nisab. He has a son, and Zayd also has a grandson whose father has died; Zayd, his son and the grandson eat together. In this case, may zakat be given to Zayd’s grandson or not? And is it wajib upon Zayd to pay sadaqat al-fitr on behalf of this grandson or not? Let it be clear that Zayd’s grandson is still a minor, but close to puberty, and is in Zayd’s care.

Answer

According to the Shari‘a, Zayd cannot give zakat from his own wealth to his grandson: [ar]ولا يدفع إلى أصله وإن علا وفرعه وإن سفل كذا في الكافي[/ar] “It is not to be given to one’s ascendant, however high, nor to one’s descendant, however low. Thus in al-Kafi” (al-Fatawa al-‘Alamgiriyya, vol. 1, p. 188).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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