I have a sum of money and I pay Zakaah for it every year. The question is: May I give the family of my wife a portion of the Zakaah as they deserve it? In this case, if they take from me the money and own it, what is the ruling if they invite me to a meal which they bought from the Zakaah I paid them? If I eat from this food, does this mean that I have not paid the Zakaah in full?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

If the family of your wife is poor, then they deserve Zakah and there is no problem in giving it to them. However, it is disliked to eat or use the money you paid as Zakah although your Zakah is valid and availing.

Al-Kharashi who is a Maaliki scholar, said: “The one who gives charity to his son or to a stranger may not ride it, eat from its yield or drink from it. The prohibition is to indicate dislike.”

Allaah Knows best.