Debts that are unlikely to be recovered
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q2: I have sums of money owed to me by people, and I am not certain of recovering these sums. Some of them are bankrupt, some are stalling, and I have not judged the others. Is there zakah on these sums, and how do I pay it?
A2: As for debts owed by a solvent person from whom they can be recovered upon demand, zakah becomes obligatory on them every time a lunar year of possession passes, just like money in the possession of its owner. As for debts owed by an insolvent person from whom recovery is unlikely, zakah is not obligatory on them unless they are received; in that case, the owner pays zakah on them once a lunar year of possession has passed since their receipt, according to the correct opinion. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
A2: As for debts owed by a solvent person from whom they can be recovered upon demand, zakah becomes obligatory on them every time a lunar year of possession passes, just like money in the possession of its owner. As for debts owed by an insolvent person from whom recovery is unlikely, zakah is not obligatory on them unless they are received; in that case, the owner pays zakah on them once a lunar year of possession has passed since their receipt, according to the correct opinion. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.