Can an adopted child give Zakat to their adoptive parents?
Question
I was adopted by my dads sister. My step dad is unemployed and below zakaat nisab. I support my step parents financially as I eat all my meals with my step parents and stay in the same yard as them. Is it possible for me to support my step dad with zakaat for payments such as lights and water if I myself am deriving some benefit from these? I intend to continue supporting my step parents financially as am currently doing but zakaat will be additional to lessen their own burden.
Answer
It is permissible for adopted children to discharge their Zakaat by giving it to their adoptive parents and vice versa. More so, it is permissible for a nephew or niece to discharge their Zakaat by giving it to their uncles and aunts i.e. paternal and maternal uncles and aunts. This is subject to the condition that they are eligible recipients of Zakaat.
Note: Biological children cannot discharge their Zakaat by giving it to their parents and vice versa.
Hence, in the enquired situation, your Zakaat will be discharged by giving it to your adoptive parents/paternal uncle and aunt respectively if either of them is an eligible recipient of Zakaat. After the Zakaat is given to either of them and transferral of ownership takes place, it will be permissible for you to partake of meals made by them for you and to benefit from any financial support rendered by them to you. This is because after the Zakaat is discharged to them, the money received is regarded as normal funds for them which they may utilise as they wish.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
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