Is it permissible to pay off a debt from Zakat funds?
becomes obligatory on wealth if a year has passed over it while it reaches the (85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver). The amount that must be given is a quarter of a tenth (2.5%). It is not permissible to pay off a debt from zakat. According to the majority of scholars, debt waives zakat on al-amwal al-batina (inward wealth, e.g., cash, business assets), so the amount of the debt is subtracted from the wealth. If a nisab remains after that, zakat becomes obligatory; otherwise, it does not. This is provided that the debtor does not have a surplus beyond their basic needs from non-zakat-able wealth. Otherwise, this wealth is considered against the debt, and the entire amount is subject to zakat.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 129331
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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