What is the ruling on one who gives charity to the poor while owing debt to people?
It is permissible for a debtor to give charity if his debt is deferred and he hopes to repay it when due. However, if the debt is immediate, or a deferred debt that has become due, he is not permitted to give charity before repaying his debt. This is because repaying debt is obligatory, while charity is supererogatory, and a recommended act is not given precedence over an obligatory one. This is based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "The delay in payment by a rich person is oppression," and his saying: "No charity except from the back of richness (i.e., after satisfying one's needs)." Scholars have made an exception for small charities that do not affect the repayment of the debt.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 13689
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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