Giving zakaah to relatives and maid servants

Reference: http://mufti.af.org.sa/ar/content/لا-تعط-خادمك-من-الزكاة

Question: What is the ruling regarding giving zakaah to relatives and maid servants?

Response: As for giving the zakaah to relatives, then [some] explanation [is required] regarding that:

If your relative is from amongst those from whom you are legally eligible to inherit [upon their death], like your parents, and your children or your brothers – and they have no heir other than you, then do not give them the zakaah.

If [on the other hand] you are not legally eligible to inherit from your relative, then you can give them the zakaah.

As for your maid servant, then I am not of the opinion that she should be given the zakaah, because she will spend it in improving her service to you, and be more active in doing so – and as a result you will end up benefiting from your own zakaah, unless [of course you are giving her the zakaah] due to to her poverty and large family.

And with that, Allaah [alone] has the Complete knowledge [of all affairs].

- from London, UK. He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004.