Donating In Charity Instead Of Settling Debts
Question
I would like to know if a person is owing money but still wants to give big amounts on voluntary charity, what can his reward be for the charity because he is doing good but not paying his debts?
Answer
It is Fardh to pay one’s debts and to give optional charity is a Nafal act in Islam.
If a person is still under the obligation and burden of debt, despite this the person gives money to charity, it is hoped that he will attain the reward for his actions but there is fear that it may not also be accepted. At the same time, he will definitely be held liable for not paying off his debt at its specified time. There are stern warnings mentioned in Ahaadeeth against the person who does not settle his debt:
عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال يغفر للشهيد كل ذنب إلا الدين
(مسلم ١٨٨٦)
“Allah forgives all the sins of a martyr except unpaid debt”.
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : “مطل الغني ظلم وإذا أتبع أحدكم على مليء فليتبع ”
( بخاري ٢٢٨٧ مسلم ١٥٨٤)
“Delay in payment (of debt) by a rich man is oppression; if one of you is referred to a wealthy man (who is prepared to take liability for someone’s debt), he should accept the reference.”
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ
(سورة الزلزال (۷)
چندہ نفل کے درجہ میں ہے اور قرض ادا کرنا فرض ہے اگر فرض ذمہ میں باقی رہتے ہوئے کوئی شخص نفل پڑھتا ہے تو اس کو ثواب بھی ملتا ہے۔ اور قرض کی تاخیر پر بازپرس بھی ہے۔ لہذا یہ کہنا کہ ثواب نہیں ملے گا، درست نہیں البتہ قرض کی ادائگی کا اہتمام چاہئے
( محمود یہ ۶۴۹/۹)
- Approved by
- Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
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