Chapter on Relatives for Whom Zakat Is Lawful and for Whom It Is Unlawful

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ali ibn al-Hakam, from Muthanna, from Abu Basir, who said: A man asked Imam عليه السلام while I was listening, and he asked: “May I give my relatives from the zakat of my wealth, while they do not recognize you?” – meaning wilayah. He (narrator) said, so Imam عليه السلام said: “Do not give zakat except to a Muslim, and give them from other than that.” Then Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “Do you think that there is nothing due in wealth except zakat alone? What Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, has made obligatory in wealth besides zakat is greater than what you give from it to relatives and to those who come before you from among those who ask you, so you give to them, so long as you do not know them to be upon hostility (nasb/nawasib). But when you know him to be upon hostility (nasb), then do not give him, unless you fear his tongue, so you purchase your religion and your honor from him.”