Q: 137 – Title: Dear Imam Alhamdolillah, I currently support my family (9 members) for their day to day expenditures. My father has debts which unfortunately he cannot pay. Can I pay my zakat to pay his debts if the money is not directly handled by him and goes to creditors.

Question

Dear Imam Alhamdolillah, I currently support my family (9 members) for their day to day expenditures. My father has debts which unfortunately he cannot pay. Can I pay my zakat to pay his debts if the money is not directly handled by him and goes to creditors.

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalamu 'alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Zakah can only be given to the recipients of zakah. Thus, if the creditors are eligible of zakah and you give them the money with the intention of zakah, zakah will be discharged although they may consider it to be the payment of your father’s account.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Wassalamu 'alaykum

Ml. Abduz Zaman,
Student Darul Ifta

Concurred by: Ml. Abdur Rahman Shareef, Student Darul Ifta

Under the guidance of:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb
Darul Ifta, Madrasah In'amiyyah