Fatwa ID: 06609

 

Answered by: Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

 

Question:

 

I have a cousin who is in debt. Her husband is working and they are saving up to pay off debt. Is she eligible for Zakah?

 

If I give my Zakah donation is this acceptable?

 

 

 

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

 

Answer:

 

Technically, in principle, Zakaat can be disbursed upon a person in debt.

 

However it must be noted that if the debt was caused due to buying luxurious items beyond necessities, eg. a house, a new car, etc. and they do possess luxury items that could be sold, then they should sell these items first.

 

The objective of Zakaat is to assist the poor and those in genuine need. It cannot be disbursed to maintain people’s lavish lifestyles.

 

If your cousin has savings more than the nisaab value, it would not be permissible to give your Zakaat to her. She needs to first pay off whatever portion of the debt she can.

 

However, if she is among the fuqaraa and in debt; then it would be preferable to pay the debt with Zakaat over those Fuqaraa who do not have debt.

 

 

References:

انما الصدقات للفقراء والمساكين …

سورة التوبة ٢٠

الفقير :من له أدنى شىء ؛ والمسكين: من لا شيء له؛ ….والغرام: من لزمه دين

(لا تدفع إلى غني) يملك قدر النصاب من اي مال كان فارغا عن حاجته

ص١٤٩/١٤٨

اللباب في شرح الكتاب

كراتشي

 

 

 

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham