If the son has to take out zakaat can he give it to his father to pay off his debts? I know your parents are not allowed to receive their child’s zakaat but would the same law apply in order to pay off debts?

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

Answer

It is not permissible to give zakat to those individuals with whom there is relationship due to birth (i.e. children and parents) or marriage. (Durrul Mukhtar, Vol 2, P 69) Therefore even in the above situation the father will not be entitled to receive zakat from his son (as usually wealth is considered to be shared between them and giving zakat will mean one receiving and benefiting from one’s own zakat). However the father will be entitled to receive zakat from other individuals as long as he is not the owner of wealth equivalent to the quantum to nisaab.

Only Allah knows best.

Sayeedur Rahman

Darul Ifta, Birmingham