Is it permissible to collect Zakat al-Mal and donations to help a friend in debt, while concealing the truth of the debts, under the pretext that it is for a sick person?
Helping a needy sister is one of the best acts of righteousness. It is permissible to give her zakat if she is among the debtors (gharimeen), but it is not permissible if her loans are usurious, unless she repents. It is not permissible to lie to collect zakat. Zakat can be collected to relieve the distress of a distressed person or to pay off the debt of someone in hardship, while maintaining their privacy. The sister should repent, abandon sins, seek help through supplication (dua), and obey Allah to lift the affliction.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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