Ruling on giving loans from Zakah

16-8-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

When I intended to pay the Zakaah that is due on my property, a man I know asked me to loan him a sum of money to be able to buy a house for himself, provided that he would repay this sum in installments within no more than a year. I have great confidence in this man. Is it permissible to loan him out of my Zakaah with the intention of giving it to its due recipients every time he pays a part thereof?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Once Zakah becomes due on you, it is impermissible for you to delay paying it, except for a legitimate excuse, such as the absence of the money, or in expectation to give it to a righteous poor person or a relative, provided that the waiting period is short.

Consequently, you should pay Zakah to those entitled to it once it becomes due upon you and it is impermissible for you to give loans from it or delay to pay it in any way. You may loan your friend from your property rather than from the money of Zakah. If he is among those entitled to Zakah, then you may give him from it rather than loan him.

Allaah Knows best.