Is zakat obligatory on an amount of money that I lent to my brother and he has not repaid it to me yet, knowing that he does not deny the debt, but the procrastination of merchants prevents him from paying it back?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the money paid was a loan, then the stipulated increase is not permissible, because it is usury (riba). Only the principal amount should be returned to you. Its becomes obligatory upon its receipt for one year, or for all past years. However, if the money was a partnership, then stipulating a guarantee of the principal is not valid, and its zakat is also obligatory. But if the debtor is in straitened circumstances or procrastinating, then its zakat is paid upon its receipt for one year.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 170970
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy