Is it permissible to discharge the debt of an insolvent debtor and consider it as part of the Zakat funds?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to fulfill the obligation by waiving a debt, because zakat requires the intention to pay at the time of payment, and the loan was given with the intention of lending, not of zakat. Furthermore, zakat involves giving and receiving, whereas waiving a debt is merely a waiver, which is a protection of money. If you waive the debt with the intention of alleviation, it is commendable. However, waiving it as zakat does not absolve the responsibility, and the zakat becomes due again.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/31069
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 31069
- 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