What is the ruling on a debt owed by a man who is unable to pay? Is zakah due on it or not?
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The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. First, Shaykh, we love you for the sake of Allah.
The Shaykh : May Allah love you for the sake of which you loved us.
The questioner : Second, I sold a car to a person, and he still owes me five thousand. It has been several years, and the person has disappeared; I do not know where he is. So, should I pay zakah on it?
The Shaykh : No. There is no zakah on a debt owed by a person who is unable to pay, unless you receive it. If you receive it, you pay zakah on it for one year. Since you do not know where the man went, there is no zakah on you. I think he has already passed away.
We conclude this session by asking Allah to grant us and you beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds, and to make us and you among those in whom the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is realized: "Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise." And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
The questioner : Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. First, Shaykh, we love you for the sake of Allah.
The Shaykh : May Allah love you for the sake of which you loved us.
The questioner : Second, I sold a car to a person, and he still owes me five thousand. It has been several years, and the person has disappeared; I do not know where he is. So, should I pay zakah on it?
The Shaykh : No. There is no zakah on a debt owed by a person who is unable to pay, unless you receive it. If you receive it, you pay zakah on it for one year. Since you do not know where the man went, there is no zakah on you. I think he has already passed away.
We conclude this session by asking Allah to grant us and you beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds, and to make us and you among those in whom the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is realized: "Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise." And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.