Question

A widow with three children marries a man. The widow’s former husband is still alive and provides financial support (nafkah) for their children. One of the widow’s children is continuing their education and requires assistance. The man (the widow’s new husband) wishes to allocate part of his zakat to the Fisabilillah category for his stepchild. Question: Is the stepchild considered under his financial responsibility (wajib nafkah)? Is his zakat valid?

Decision

Based on the translation of Kifayah Al-Akhyar Fiqh Al-Imam As-Syafi’e, page 954, according to the Shafi’i school of thought, the obligation of financial support arises due to three matters:

1. 1. Kinship (al-Qarabah)
2. 2. Slavery (Ar-Riqqah)
3. 3. Marriage (al-Musoharah)
4.  

The obligation of financial support due to kinship includes, for example, parents providing for young children who have no income, and children providing for elderly parents who have no income.

A stepfather is not obligated to provide financial support to a stepchild because there is no kinship relationship (al-Qarabah). Therefore, a stepfather may allocate his zakat to his stepchild under the Fisabilillah category.

Reference: Issue 14, Compilation of Shariah Questions Records, LZS January 2018 – June 2018 – Approved by the LZS Shariah Advisory Committee Meeting.