Is it permissible to give zakat to a relative who supports four children, whose income is insufficient for his needs, and who has usurious bank installments and other debts (usurious and non-usurious)?
This man should not be given Zakat to pay off his debts, unless he repents and his repentance is sincere, because his debt includes things that are unnecessary, like a second refrigerator, and things for which it is impermissible to incur debt, like satellite dishes (for illicit content) and usurious loans, and an antenna that brings in sins. Scholars have stipulated concerning the indebted person (gharim) who is given Zakat that he must not have incurred debt through foolishness, immorality, extravagance, or sin. If he incurred debt through sin, nothing should be given to him before repentance. However, he may be given Zakat due to his poverty, not to pay off his unlawful debt. His wife and children can be given Zakat if he is unable to provide for them, along with advising him and explaining to him the danger of usury and illicit satellite channels.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/38537