Giving zakah to a poor person who has debts, on behalf of the one who holds the zakah
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Q4: My deceased father had a small house that was rented to a person. For four years, I have not received the rent from him, and every time I ask for it, he makes excuses based on poverty. I mentioned his situation to people of good, and they gave me their zakah to give it to him. Another person told me not to give him this money, but to consider it as part of the rent I am claiming from him. The heirs are constantly demanding that I collect the rent so they can receive their share. Is it permissible for me to take the zakah money and consider it part of the rent without informing him? And do I have the right to file a complaint to evict him from the house?
A4: It is obligatory for you to pay the zakah to the poor person to whom it was given so that you could pay it to him. It is not permissible for you to take it without his knowledge. However, if he gives it to you after receiving it from you by his own choice, there is no harm. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
A4: It is obligatory for you to pay the zakah to the poor person to whom it was given so that you could pay it to him. It is not permissible for you to take it without his knowledge. However, if he gives it to you after receiving it from you by his own choice, there is no harm. 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.