Question Summary:
Can zakaat be given to son in law and syeds?

Question Detail:

1.      Please let me know if zakat can be paid to step sons if they are not sahibe nisaab.
2.      One Mufti in Pakistan gave fatwa that zakat can be paid to syeds if they are not sahibe nisab on the plea that during the period of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam and sahaba there were special arrangements to help syeds who are in need from Baitul Mal. But currently no such arrangement exists hence in the light of this one can pay zakat to syeds also who are not sahib nisab. Please clarify. 
Thanks for your prompt response in advance.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
1.      You may give zakāt to your step sons if they are not Sahib Nisaab.[1]
2.      Syeds are the descendents of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam from the progeny of Ali and Fatimah radhiyallāhu ῾anhumā. Syeds also fall within the extended family of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam known as Banū Hāshim. The descendents of the Banu Hashim have a lineage of high pedigree and nobility. Hashim was the great grandfather of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam. The son of Hashim was Abdul Mutallib who was also the grandfather of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam.  
From amongst the progeny of Abdul Mutallib the descendents of the following cannot accept zakāt;
a) ῾Abbās radhiyallāhu ῾an (the uncle of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam)
b) Hārith(the uncle of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam)
c) Ali radhiyallāhu ῾an (the cousin of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam)
d) ῾Aqeel radhiyallāhu ῾an (the cousin of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam)
e) Ja῾far radhiyallāhu ῾an (the cousin of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam)
Zakāt is considered to be the filth of one’s wealth. An individual offers zakāt in order to purify the rest of his wealth. It is not befitting for the family of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam to accept this wealth. Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam had mentioned that Allah Ta῾ālā has prohibited the filth and dirt found in peoples’ wealth (zakaat) for the Banū Hāshim.  
As Muslims we should exert ourselves in ensuring that the family of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam is never in need of zakāt. Our Imān dictates that we give preference to the family of Nabi salallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam over our own. If a Sayid family is ever in need then we should make arrangements with lillah funds to try and relieve their situation. As a last resort if there is no other option an individual could offer sadaqat to the Sayid family.[2]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Ali bin Cassim
Student Darul Iftaa
Los angeles, CA (USA)
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net