If one is entrusted with distributing zakah, may he take from it in exchange for a debt he has on the poor person to whom he will give the zakah?
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Q: I am of moderate financial standing, and some of my brothers in Allah borrow money from me in good faith, but they delay in repaying it or are unable to do so due to their poverty. On the other hand, I receive some zakah from some of my brothers in Allah, and I have full authorization and discretion from them to distribute it to the poor and needy whom I know. The question is: – may Allah preserve you – is it valid for me to take the debt owed to me by these borrowers, who are poor and needy, from this zakah, and inform them that my rights with them have been settled by some of the people of good? Please advise us, may Allah preserve you and benefit us through you, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: It is obligatory for you to distribute the zakah for which you have been entrusted to its rightful recipients, the poor and the needy, and it is not permissible for you to withhold it and count it against their debts as you mentioned.
A: It is obligatory for you to distribute the zakah for which you have been entrusted to its rightful recipients, the poor and the needy, and it is not permissible for you to withhold it and count it against their debts as you mentioned.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.