Near Relatives have the first right on Your Zakath.Moulana Syed Moizuddin Ashrafi’s Lecture
Mohammed Rasullaha explained the importance of maintaining good relations with your relatives and emphasized good and cordial relations with our relatives.Over looking the near relatives in giving of Zakath is against Shariat.
Rasullaha said, one who desires prosperity in his Home and a long life should maintain good and cordial relations with all his relatives. And one who wants to avoid a painful death should observe a kind and good natured behaviour and be on good terms with one and all. Once our Prophet said that maintaining good relations with your relatives and neighbours will usher in prosperity in your homes and bless you with long life.
The Moulana said according to a tradition of Umme Kulsum Binte Uqba the highest form of Zakat is to give it to the near relatives and one who forgives and shows mercy. According to another Hadees giving Zakat to the destitute is really noble. And giving it to the relatives is doubly rewarding. Misappropriating of the Zakaat is the highest form of Sin. Giving it to the undeserving ones and depriving the deserving is a sure road of perdition.
The Moulana also said that giving Zakat to the Deeni Madrasas was good , but more rewarding was it to give to those who are really in need of it and are in dire straits lacking the bare necessities. It could even be given to those who are pursuing their religious studies in various madrasas.
Islam calls for being alert and mindful at every level and strata of our society. True giving to the Deeni Madrasas is good but giving all the Zakat to them exclusively may deprive other deserving ones.
He ridiculed and lambasted them who take huge Zakat funds from people in the name of Madrasas and spend it on themselves, in having Posh Bunglows, Flashy cars, sending their children abroad for higher studies and blowing up huge sums in marriage functions and dinners. And they call themselves the Servers of the community!