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Question
Can I give my zakaat to my brother who is studying in a madrassah, for help with tuition fees? As he has no other means to afford the fees.
Answer
Yes you may give Zakaah money to your brother with the following conditions:
• he does not own the Nisab of Zakaah (the amount by which he becomes eligible to pay Zakaah)
• if he is below the age of puberty that his father who supports him is poor (i.e. eligible to receive Zakaah also).
Imam Al-Murghinaani states:
( ولا إلى ولد غني إذا كان صغيرا ) لأنه يعد غنيا بمال أبيه ، بخلاف ما إذا كان كبيرا فقيرا لأنه لا يعد غنيا بيسار أبيه وإن كانت نفقته عليه
Nor can Zakaah be given to the child of a rich man if he is under the age of puberty because he is considered rich due to the wealth of his father unlike if the child is over the age of puberty and poor because he is not considered rich due to the richness of his father even if the father is supporting him.
(See. Al-Hidaaya p223/1 Maktabah Rahmaaniyyah)
(See. Also Radd Al-Muhtaar 343/2 H.M.Saeed)
This will also be considered as helping the close kin which is highly rewarded in Islam. Not only that but as you say he is studying in a Madrasah therefore it is also supporting Islam and a Sadaqah Jaariya. Hence, you will receive reward for all those who practice and propagate that which your brother learns.