Question
Reference number: 546299 | Zakat and Charity | Aug. 18, 2026
What is the ruling on an employer giving their employee zakat money, and on deducting a debt and considering it zakat?
Answer
It is not permissible to waive a debt and consider it zakat, because the debt was not initially incurred with the intention of giving zakat. Moreover, this involves a benefit to the zakat payer and does not constitute transferring ownership of the zakat money to the recipient.
However, it is permissible to give zakat to an employee if they are in need and are poor, provided that they are not made aware that the zakat comes from their employer. Rather, it should be delivered to them through a third party without their knowledge.
