Question
(#022)
Someone is poor, and he owes me money, can I write off his debt/forgive his debt and make an intention of my Zakaat?
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We received your query regarding writing off a debt with the intention of Zakaat. Our response is as follows:
No, it will not be valid to have such a loan “written off” as Zakaat. However, there is a valid procedure whereby you may have the loan paid back to you and also at the same time have the equivalent amount discharged as Zakaat. The procedure is as follows: After first ascertaining that, your debtor is, in actual fact, an eligible recipient of Zakaat, you could then give him the amount of money with the Niyyah (intention) of Zakaat. Once he takes possession of the money, you could request him to pay back the amount he owes you. By implementing this procedure, the loan will be paid off, and your Zakat will also be discharged from your shoulders.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
(Mufti) Muhammad Irshad Motara
22nd Ramadhan 1441
16th May 2020
فتاوى رحيمية: 7-ص148
احسن الفتاوى: ج4-260
رد المحتار: ج 2-ص-271-سعيد
فتاوى محمودية: ج9-ص476-فاروقية-قديم
