Fatwa ID: 07043

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Question:

Any issue giving zakat to someone who has incurred debt through gambling. He is not gambling anymore?

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

To provide help to another is a reward worthy act. May Allāh Ta’ālā reward you for your intentions. Āmeen.

Allāh Ta’ālā has ordained on us: “Be steadfast in Salāh (prayer), and pay Zakāh, and bow down with those who bow down (in worship and obedience)”. [Surah al-Baqarah; 2:43] [1]

Allāh Ta’ālā says in regards to gambling: “Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?” [Surah al-Mā’idah; 5:91] [2]

Though the person has committed a grave sin by gambling, if there wealth is below the threshold of Nisāb then it would be permitted to aid them with your Zakat money.

It may be prudent to make another a Wakeel (an agent) to handle the money so to be certain that the money is not used for any sinful acts.

Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.

Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

}[1]وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرۡكَعُواْ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ {

}[2] إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيۡنَكُمُ ٱلۡعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلۡبَغۡضَآءَ فِي ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمۡ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَعَنِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِۖ فَهَلۡ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ{