The Practising Muslim · Fiqh of Zakah

Zakah Application in Specific Scenarios

Explore permissible uses and obligations of zakah in various personal financial situations.

5 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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1. When may zakah be used to pay off a relative’s debt?

  • When the debt is not for maintenance the giver was obligated to provide. (correct answer)
  • Whenever the relative owes any debt, even for the giver’s required maintenance duty.
  • Never, because relatives cannot receive zakah.
  • Only when the relative is unrelated by blood.

Why

Zakah may be used to pay off a poor relative’s debt, even a father’s or son’s debt, if the debt was not taken to cover maintenance that the giver was obligated to provide. If it was for obligatory maintenance, using zakah would become a trick to avoid required spending.

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2. May zakah be given to help someone repay a debt that came from sinful misuse of money?

  • Yes, if the person has repented and cannot repay it. (correct answer)
  • Yes, even if the person is still persisting in the sin.
  • No, even if the person has repented.
  • Only if the lender forgives half of the debt first.

Why

If someone misused entrusted money or borrowed for a sinful purpose, they should repent and repay what they owe. If they have repented and do not have surplus wealth to repay the debt, they may be given zakah as a debtor. If they are still persisting in sin, they should not be given zakah for that purpose.

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3. If a lender tells a debtor to distribute the owed money as zakah to a poor person, may the debtor keep it for himself?

  • No, he may not keep it for himself. (correct answer)
  • Yes, if he is poor.
  • Yes, if the lender did not name a specific poor person.
  • Yes, as long as he intends to give charity later.

Why

If the lender delegates the debtor to give the money to a poor person as zakah, the debtor is acting as an agent. He may not keep it for himself. If the lender meant to let the debtor take it, that would become waiving a debt and counting it as zakah, which is not allowed.

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4. What should a lender do about zakah on a debt owed by someone who admits it and is willing to pay?

  • Pay zakah on it each year, or delay payment until receiving it and then pay for past years. (correct answer)
  • Pay zakah only once, no matter how many years pass.
  • Never pay zakah on debts.
  • Pay zakah only if the debtor is poor and delaying payment.

Why

If the debt is owed by someone who admits it, knows the amount, and is willing to pay, it is treated like wealth that can be accessed. Zakah is due each year, though the lender may delay actually paying that zakah until the debt is received, then pay for the past years. If the debtor is hard-up or delaying, the ruling differs.

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5. When does the zakah year for rental income begin?

  • When the rental contract is drawn up. (correct answer)
  • Only when the tenant first moves in.
  • Only when the rent is first received.
  • Only when the property is sold.

Why

The zakah year for rental income begins when the rental contract is drawn up, because the owner becomes entitled to the rent at that point. If rent is received and spent before a full year from the contract has passed, no zakah is due on that spent amount. If rent is received at the end of the year and remains due, zakah is owed on it.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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