How to pay zakah on a debt
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Regarding the zakah of a debt, if a person lends to another, how does he pay the zakah on it? What if the debtor delays repayment for three years?
The debt, may Allah reward you, does it have zakah or not? There is a distinction. If the debt is owed by someone who is unable to pay, there is no zakah on it, even if it remains for ten years. However, when you receive it, you pay the zakah for only one year. This is if it is owed by a poor person.
As for if it is owed by a rich person and the period extends, you pay the zakah on it every year. But you have the choice: if you wish, you pay its zakah along with your wealth every year, and if you wish, when you receive it, you pay the zakah for the time that has passed. I recommend that you pay it along with your wealth, because a person may die and the heirs may be negligent in paying the zakah, or things may occur that prevent the payment of the zakah. So if you pay it along with your wealth, it will be a source of peace for your heart.As for if the rich person delays: If it is not possible to demand it, such as from a father, or a ruler, or an oppressive prince, or the like, then it is like the debt of one who is unable to pay: there is no zakah on it except for the year of its receipt.
And as for if he delays while it is possible to demand it, you complain about him to the prince and he hands it over to you. In this case, you are obligated to pay the zakah on it, because the matter is in your control.
And may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
The debt, may Allah reward you, does it have zakah or not? There is a distinction. If the debt is owed by someone who is unable to pay, there is no zakah on it, even if it remains for ten years. However, when you receive it, you pay the zakah for only one year. This is if it is owed by a poor person.
As for if it is owed by a rich person and the period extends, you pay the zakah on it every year. But you have the choice: if you wish, you pay its zakah along with your wealth every year, and if you wish, when you receive it, you pay the zakah for the time that has passed. I recommend that you pay it along with your wealth, because a person may die and the heirs may be negligent in paying the zakah, or things may occur that prevent the payment of the zakah. So if you pay it along with your wealth, it will be a source of peace for your heart.As for if the rich person delays: If it is not possible to demand it, such as from a father, or a ruler, or an oppressive prince, or the like, then it is like the debt of one who is unable to pay: there is no zakah on it except for the year of its receipt.
And as for if he delays while it is possible to demand it, you complain about him to the prince and he hands it over to you. In this case, you are obligated to pay the zakah on it, because the matter is in your control.
And may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.