Ruling on Giving Zakah to Debtors
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The Shaykh! A woman receives zakah, and she knows some of the poor people who owe her money. Is it permissible for her to take this zakah to settle her right?
This is not permissible. It is not permissible—if a person is given zakah—for him to give it specifically to his debtors who are demanding payment from him; because this is favoritism; but if he is sincere, let him say to the one who gave him the zakah: O so-and-so! You gave me zakah to distribute, and I am seeking so-and-so and so-and-so, such and such. Do you permit me to take the zakah for these people?If he says: Yes.
There is no harm in that. However, without informing him, it is not permissible for him to give any of it to his debtors; because this is favoritism.
This is not permissible. It is not permissible—if a person is given zakah—for him to give it specifically to his debtors who are demanding payment from him; because this is favoritism; but if he is sincere, let him say to the one who gave him the zakah: O so-and-so! You gave me zakah to distribute, and I am seeking so-and-so and so-and-so, such and such. Do you permit me to take the zakah for these people?If he says: Yes.
There is no harm in that. However, without informing him, it is not permissible for him to give any of it to his debtors; because this is favoritism.