Can a Woman Give Zakah to her Husband? (Hadith No. 1240)

Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 541:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (radiallaahu `anhu):

On ‘Id ul Fitr or ‘Id ul Adha Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went out to the Musalla. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. He said, “O people! Give alms.” Then he went towards the women and said. “O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women).” The women asked, “O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! What is the reason for it?” He replied, “O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wise man astray.” Then he left. And when he reached his house, Zainab (radiallaahu `anhaa), the wife of Ibn Masud (radiallaahu `anhu), came and asked permission to enter It was said, “O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! It is Zainab (radiallaahu `anhaa).” He asked, ‘Which Zainab?” The reply was that she was the wife of Ibn Mas’ud (radiallaahu `anhu). He said, “Yes, allow her to enter.” And she was admitted. Then she said, “O Prophet of Allah (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! Today you ordered people to give alms and I had an ornament and intended to give it as alms, but Ibn Masud (radiallaahu `anhu) said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) replied, “Ibn Masud (radiallaahu `anhu) had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else.”

The Standing Committee (10/62) was asked:

Is it permissible for a woman to give the zakaah of her wealth to her husband if he is poor?

They replied: it is permissible for a woman to give the zakaah of her wealth to her husband if he is poor so as to ward off his poverty, because of the general meaning of the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al-Masaakeen (the poor)”

[al-Tawbah 9:60]

More details on the subject here.

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