Is it permissible to give zakat to a sister to pay off her accumulated debts?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible to give to one who is indebted due to lawful or unlawful causes, provided he has repented from the latter, and he cannot find the means to repay his debts. Such a person is considered among the 'gharimin' (those in debt) who are eligible to receive zakat. Giving it to relatives is more meritorious, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Charity given to a poor person is charity, but charity given to a relative is two-fold: charity and strengthening of kinship ties."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/103149
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 103149
- 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