Paying off the debts of the insolvent from zakah funds
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Fatwa number ( 17231 )
Q: I have money belonging to orphans, and I am growing it for them by buying cars for cash and selling them on installments. Among those to whom I sold a car on installments is a person who still owes (17,000) which he has not paid due to his financial circumstances, and he is eligible for zakah. Is it permissible for me to pay it off on his behalf from the zakah of the orphans' money that I have paid out annually? May Allah reward you with good and bless you.
A: Waiving the debt of the insolvent does not suffice in place of paying the zakah of the orphans' money, nor that of anyone else; because Allah commanded the giving of zakah, and its meaning is paying it to its rightful recipient and making it his property, and waiving a debt does not achieve this meaning. And Allah knows best. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I have money belonging to orphans, and I am growing it for them by buying cars for cash and selling them on installments. Among those to whom I sold a car on installments is a person who still owes (17,000) which he has not paid due to his financial circumstances, and he is eligible for zakah. Is it permissible for me to pay it off on his behalf from the zakah of the orphans' money that I have paid out annually? May Allah reward you with good and bless you.
A: Waiving the debt of the insolvent does not suffice in place of paying the zakah of the orphans' money, nor that of anyone else; because Allah commanded the giving of zakah, and its meaning is paying it to its rightful recipient and making it his property, and waiving a debt does not achieve this meaning. And Allah knows best. 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.