Is it permissible to pay Zakat to settle the debts of poor relatives whose income is insufficient to meet their needs and who owe money to the bank?
The Holy Qur'an specifies the recipients of Zakat into eight categories, as mentioned in verse 60 of Surah At-Tawbah. It is permissible to pay Zakat to poor or indebted relatives whose income is insufficient to meet their basic needs; in fact, it is preferable, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Charity given to the needy is one reward, but charity given to a relative is two: charity and maintaining kinship ties." However, if the relative is not in need, Zakat should not be given to them. Regarding debts incurred from purchasing land, it is permissible to pay Zakat to settle them if the debtors have no other money and are in need of the land for their livelihood. Otherwise, Zakat should not be paid to them, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Zakat is not permissible for the wealthy."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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