Walekumussalam,

1. Can Zakat be given to an eligible relative for MBBS fees?

Yes. If your maternal aunt’s/maternal uncle’s son is legally eligible to receive Zakat, meaning that he does not possess wealth equivalent to the Nisab beyond his basic necessities, then it is permissible to give him Zakat. He may use that money for his MBBS fees and other necessary educational expenses.

According to Hanafi fiqh, it is permissible to give Zakat to needy relatives. In fact, giving Zakat to an eligible relative carries the additional reward of maintaining family ties. However, Zakat cannot be given to one’s parents, children, or spouse.

2. Can Zakat money be used for university or medical college fees?

Yes. If the student himself is eligible to receive Zakat and the Zakat money is given to him in a manner that makes him its legal owner, then he may use it as he wishes for his MBBS fees, books, accommodation, and other permissible educational necessities.

Zakat money does not have to be restricted to a particular purpose, such as education, in a way that prevents him from using it for other permissible personal needs. The essential requirement is that the eligible recipient is made the owner of the Zakat money.

3. Is there any problem with giving Zakat to him because he is a relative?

No. Being a relative, by itself, does not prevent a person from receiving Zakat.

Rather, if a relative is eligible for Zakat, it is permissible to give Zakat to him, and in addition to fulfilling the obligation of Zakat, one also receives the reward of maintaining family ties.

Therefore, if your maternal aunt’s/maternal uncle’s son is eligible to receive Zakat, you may give your Zakat to him.

4. Can Zakat money be paid directly to the college?

According to Hanafi fiqh, Tamleek is necessary for the validity of Zakat. This means that the eligible recipient must be made the owner of the Zakat money.

Therefore, merely paying your Zakat directly to the medical college and having the college receive the fee on his behalf would not constitute valid payment of Zakat, because the money did not come into the ownership of the eligible student.

However, if the student appoints the college as his agent (wakeel) to receive the Zakat money on his behalf, then a representative of the college may receive the money on his behalf and use it to pay his fees. In this case, the requirement of Tamleek is fulfilled.

5. If Tamleek is required, what is the correct method of paying the fees?

The simplest and clearest method is as follows:

1. Give the Zakat money to the eligible student.

2. He becomes the legal owner of that money.

3. He can then use the money, at his discretion, to pay his MBBS fees.

If the college’s system requires the fees to be paid directly in the student’s name, the student may appoint a trustworthy person or the relevant college representative as his agent (wakeel) to receive the Zakat money on his behalf and pay his fees. You can then give the Zakat money to his appointed agent on his behalf.

Therefore, Zakat should not ordinarily be paid directly to the college; the eligible student must first be made the owner of the Zakat money. If he appoints the college or another responsible person as his agent, the fees may then be paid through that agent.

And Allah knows best.