QUESTION:
Someone kept money aside for Zakaat once it became Wajib upon him. However, before he discharges his Zakaat, he now feels like he should use the money set aside to pay his mortgage instead, and pay the outstanding Zakaat amount later? Would this be correct?
ANSWER:
In the queried scenario, he is at liberty to use the funds to pay his mortgage since the money is still in his ownership. He hasn’t handed it over to the poor as yet. However, to delay payment of Zakaat until the next Zakaat date enters is Makrooh. [Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg.400 Vol.14]
ولا يخرج عن العهدة بالعزل بل بالأداء للفقراء در إلا أنه لا تشترط النية عند الدفع (حاشية الطحطاوي ص715 ج1)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date:- 10 Safar 1445 / 27 August 2023
