Question Summary:
Can we give Zakat to a widow/orphan?

Question Detail:

Can we give zakaat to a widow or an orphan child / childrens who has several things such as cash money, jewellery, television, flat, fridge, washing machine, employees working at home, investments so on....
 
Jazak Allah

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh
It is only permissible for one to dispense Zakaat to the valid recipients of Zakat. In principle, if the jewellery, cash funds, investments and other zakatable assets reach the Nisab amount of the proposed recipients, then it is not permissible to dispense of Zakaat funds to such individuals. Household items such as fridge and washing machine are not considered as Zakatable assets. We advise you to visit the proposed recipients to ascertain the value of the assets when determining whether they are eligible for Zakaat or not. You may contact your local Islamic Organization to determine the Zakat Nisab amount. It is also not necessary for you to state that you are giving them Zakat money. You may state that the funds are merely a gift to them.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
 
Ismail Desai,
Darul Iftaa