Ruling on Using Zakat to Pay Off Debts of Charities or Relatives
Al-Azhar Fatwa clarifies that zakat cannot be used for charity debts, but it may be used to settle a poor brother’s debts if he has no other means.
The Egyptian Dar al-Ifta responded to a question about paying off the accumulated debts of a charity with zakat funds, stating that such spending is not permissible from zakat, but rather from general or ongoing charity, such as improving medical services or infrastructure.
Zakat’s purpose is to support human needs first—providing food, clothing, shelter, livelihood, education, and medical care for the poor and needy—hence the Prophet ﷺ emphasized this in his instruction to Muadh ibn Jabal: «…take from the wealth of the rich and give it to the poor» (Agreed upon).
Regarding giving zakat to a brother to pay his debts, the Fatwa Committee of Al-Azhar explained that debtors who lack the means to repay are eligible for zakat. This is based on the Qur’an: «…and for those in debt…» [At-Tawbah: 60].
Al-Qurtubi clarified that a debtor without wealth may receive zakat to settle debts, citing the Hadith of Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri where a man in debt was helped by charity, and the Prophet ﷺ instructed creditors to take only what was available.
The committee concluded that if a poor brother has no money to settle his debts, zakat may be given to him as he becomes a rightful recipient. The Prophet ﷺ said: «Charity is for the poor, and for a relative it is both charity and maintaining ties».
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