Question:
I lent some money to a person a few years ago. I would like to know who should be responsible for paying Zakah on that amount?
Answer:
الجواب باسم ملهم الصواب
- The person responsible for paying Zakah on the lent money is the LENDER, not the borrower.
- However, it is not obligatory to pay Zakah on the lent amount until it is returned. Although, the lender is permissible to pay Zakah on the lent amount before it is returned.
- If, for example, the money was lent for three years, and the lender did not pay Zakah on the amount for the three years, then he must pay Zakah for the previous three years as soon as he receives the money.
- If the loaned money is returned in instalments, then Zakah must be paid in the amount received in each instalment. However, the lender is also permissible to pay Zakah of the whole amount before receiving it all.
Only Allah the Omniscient Truly Knows
Answered by:
Abdullah Fahim
Imam & Khateeb, Masjid Taqwa
Kyrwicks Lane, Birmingham
20th Sh’aban 1441 AH
زکوۃ کے مسائل کا انسائیکلوپیڈیا: 344 – 346
قال في البحر: «عندهما: الديون كلها سواء تجب الزكاة قبل القبض، وكلما قبض شيئا زكاه قل أو كثر» (ج: 2، ص 364، دار الكتب العلمية)
وقال أيضا: «ولو كان له مائتا درهم دين فاستفاد في خلال الحول مائة درهم فإنه يضم المستفاد إلى الدين في حوله بالإجماع وإذا تم الحول على الدين لا يلزمه الأداء من المستفاد ما لم يقبض أربعين درهما. وعندهما: يلزمه وإن لم يقبض منه شيئا» (ج: 2، ص 365، دار الكتب العلمية)