The Shaykh’s advice to those who demand that the poor pay their debts and pressure them, and to those who delay people and play with their money.

The Shaykh : If the debt is owed by a wealthy person who is willing to pay, then zakah is due on it. If we assume that a person has ten thousand riyals owed to him by another person, and this person is wealthy and willing to pay, such that if you ask him for it at any time he gives you the debt, then you must pay zakah on this debt. Pay attention to why: because it is with a wealthy person who is willing to pay; whenever you say, “Give it to me,” he says, “Please, take it.” If it is owed by a poor person, then there is no zakah on it. Why? Because you cannot collect it from him. Indeed, if the debt is owed by a poor person, it is forbidden for the creditor to demand it from him or to press him for it. Therefore,
we warn in this context. We warn those who demand from the poor against pressuring them by demanding, pressing, complaining, or imprisoning them, for all of this is forbidden for them. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: meaning that you should grant him a respite, and that is better for you. We also warn those who play with people’s money by taking it, incurring debts, and delaying payment. You will find one who hides his wealth or plays with people’s money, then claims that he is unable to pay. This is also forbidden for him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If it is owed by a wealthy person who delays payment, and you cannot extract your right from him, is there zakah on it? There is no zakah on it. Because although he is wealthy, I cannot extract my money from him because he is a big shot and cannot be pressed for it. In this case, we say there is no zakah on you for this money; you do not owe zakah.