Accepting zakaat to pay off one's debs

Q: At the moment I am in alot of debt. My buinesses closed during covid and I have tried to restart them but at the moment I am in alot of debt, on the businesses as well as on my house which is bonded. If I do sell my house, it won't add up to the amount of the debt but if I can pay off my debt then insha Allah I can be able to pay zakaat going forwards. I don't have an income for now. Is it possible to receive zakaat to pay off my debts?

A: If you are poor and in debt, then it is permissible for you to accept zakaat to pay off your debts.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)