Charity But Still Have Debt, Is It OK?

Debt is a liability that must be met. This obligations are even binding to death. When someone has a debt dependent, then there are only two possibilities that can abort the dependent: 1) the debt has been repaid, or 2) it is released/abandoned by the person who has the right.

For many people, having dependents on debt is common, because people don't always have what they need. In the same situation, sometimes he wants to share and give charity to others, even though he has a debt that must be paid to others.

What is the law in giving charity for people who have debts, considering that the legal status of paying debts is obligatory while giving charity is only sunnah?

Giving charity is sunnah but if we are in a condition we still need the property as part of our basic needs (e.g. to pay the debt), then giving the sunnah alms is haram.

Debts that must be repaid immediately (because they are due and have been billed or because the debt is due due to immorality should not be postponed (in any way, including charity), unless it is known that the owner of the rights will give up the delay. So with that, pay off the debt first. When you have enough, give charity.

 

 

Furthermore charity begins with the heart.
It can begin with a smile not just via your wealth. 

 

“Indeed the gates to goodness are many: glorifying God, praising Him, magnifying Him, saying ‘There is no god but Allah,’ enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong, removing (any source of) harm from the road, making the deaf hear (and understand), guiding the blind, showing the seeker his need, striving as far as your two legs could carry you and with deep concern to give succour to him who asks, carrying with the strength of your arms (the burdens of) the weak. All these are (acts of) charity.” And he added, “And your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, your removing of stones, thorns, and bones from people’s paths is charity, and your guiding a man gone astray in the world is charity for you.”

~ Prophet Muhammad ~

Narrated by Abu Dharr

 

May Allah accept our good deeds be it now or later. Ameen.