Can a poor woman whose affluent husband provides her legally mandated maintenance receive Zakat?
Chapter on Zakat on Sheep
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
If a poor woman has an affluent husband who provides her maintenance, it is not permissible to give her Zakat. This is because her sufficiency is already attained through the obligatory maintenance provided by her husband, equating her status to someone who benefits from rental income from property. If the husband fails to provide maintenance, or if it is unattainable, giving her Zakat is permissible, similar to when the utility of property ceases. Imam Ahmad has explicitly stated this ruling.