QUESTION:
A person loaned another person an amount of R500. The debtor is unable to pay back the money, and he is also elligible for Zakaat. Can the creditor offset the monies owed to him by making the intention of Zakaat for the debtor?
ANSWER:
In the queried scenario, the creditor should give the debtor R500.00 Zakaat. The debtor should take possession of the R500.00 Zakaat and immediately thereafter, use the funds to settle the debt with the creditor. By making an intention of offsetting the debt as Zakaat is not correct. The Zakaat will not be discharged. [Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg.169 Vol.14]
وَحِيلَةُ الْجَوَازِ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ مَدْيُونَهُ الْفَقِيرَ زَكَاتَهُ ثُمَّ يَأْخُذَهَا عَنْ دَيْنِهِ (در المختار ص271 ج2)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
Date: 24 Rajab 1445 / 05 February 2024
