Is Zakaat Compulsory if one has Debts?

Q: Is zakaat waajib on a person who possesses the nisaab amount but also has unsettled debts?

A: The principle of shari’ah is that after evaluating one’s zakaatable assets one will deduct his liabilities and debts. If the remaining amount reaches the nisaab, zakaat will be waajib.

Examples:

1. Nisaab: R3, 000; Zakaatable assets: R10, 000; Liabilities: R8, 000; Balance: R2, 000 = Zakaat will not be waajib.
2. Nisaab: R3, 000; Zakaatable assets: R10, 000; Liabilities: R6, 000; Balance: R4, 000 = Zakaat will be waajib.

فارغ عن دين له مطالب من جهة العباد (الدر المختار 2/260)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)