Is it permissible to give Zakah to one's own ascendants (parents, grandparents)?

Primary text

It is impermissible to give Zakah to one's parents (father and mother) or any ascendants, no matter how high their lineage ascends (grandparents, etc.). Ibn al-Mundhir reported consensus among the people of knowledge on this prohibition. The rationale is that the giver is obligated to provide maintenance (Nafaqah) for these relatives. Giving them Zakah relieves the giver of this duty, effectively channeling the benefit back to the giver, making it analogous to paying one's own debt. This is the view established by Ahmad, including in cases where the ascendants are not direct heirs.