Ruling on a debtor who asks his creditor to consider the debt as zakah
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Question:
Some people, when they lend to someone and the borrower does not make the payment, say to him: "Consider it as zakah on me?"
Answer:
No, a debt does not become zakah. He must give him time; if he becomes wealthy, he pays it, or he forgives it other than as zakah. Voluntary charity is fine, but zakah is not the forgiveness of a debt. Zakah is giving; he gives what he has. As for the debt, it is given time and delayed. However, if he forgives it voluntarily, seeking the pleasure of Allah, other than as zakah, he is to be thanked and rewarded.
Some people, when they lend to someone and the borrower does not make the payment, say to him: "Consider it as zakah on me?"
Answer:
No, a debt does not become zakah. He must give him time; if he becomes wealthy, he pays it, or he forgives it other than as zakah. Voluntary charity is fine, but zakah is not the forgiveness of a debt. Zakah is giving; he gives what he has. As for the debt, it is given time and delayed. However, if he forgives it voluntarily, seeking the pleasure of Allah, other than as zakah, he is to be thanked and rewarded.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.