When is zakat due on a sum of money and gold, considering the fluctuations of the amount during periods of travel and return, and the intention to buy a property with it? And when does the hawl (one year) begin? And is it permissible to give a brother from zakat money to pay off his usurious loan installments, for the sake of alleviating distress?

The hawl (one lunar year) begins when the money reaches the nisab (definition) (the equivalent of 85 grams of gold). If one lunar year passes and the amount has not decreased, then zakat (definition) of 2.5% becomes obligatory. The intention to buy a house or land does not prevent its obligation. As for giving zakat to a brother who has haram (definition) debts, he must first be admonished to repent. If he repents and is unable to pay the installments, then it is permissible to give him zakat to pay off his debt or part of it.