If one's debts are larger than their goods, is there Zakah due on the latter

Q: My goods amount to nearly 50,000 riyals, but I owe more than 100,000 riyals in debt. Is Zakah (obligatory charity) still incumbent on my merchandise, even though my debts are double that amount? A: Debt does not annul the obligation of Zakah. Thus, you have to pay Zakah and Allah (Exalted be He) will bless your money and purify it when doing so. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it Imam Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (Part No. 8; Page No. 69


A: Debt does not annul the obligation of Zakah. Thus, you have to pay Zakah and Allah (Exalted be He) will bless your money and purify it when doing so. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it Imam Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (Part No. 8; Page No. 69)  Sadaqah does in no way decrease wealth. Also, Al-Tirmidhy and Ahmad related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: I swear about three things... Among which he mentioned: A servant’s property does not diminish because of Sadaqah (they pay). Also, Al-Bukhari, and Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: There is never a day when servants wake up in the morning, but two angels descend, and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Give in compensation to the one spending (in Your cause),’ and the other says, ‘O Allah! Give loss to the one withholding.’ May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


Tags: