I said to Abu al-Hasan al-Awwal (Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as)) "A man died, and he had Zakat due on him. He instructed in his will that the Zakat be paid on his behalf, but his children are needy. Paying the Zakat would cause them severe hardship. What should they do?" The Imam (as) replied: "They should pay the Zakat and then return it to themselves, keeping a portion to be given to others."