Question
I would like to know if a person is owing the bank money on his credit card but still wants to give big amounts on voluntary charity, what can his reward be for the charity because he’s 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 Ahaadeth against the person who is in debt. Follow the Ahaadeeth:
عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال يغفر للشهيد كل ذنب إلا الدين
)مسلم١٨٨٦)
“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 أُتبع أحدكم على مليء فليتبع”
)بخاري٢٢٨٧مسلم١٥٨٤)
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.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ(سورة الزلزال٧)
یہ چندہ نفل کے درجہ میں ہے اور قرض ادا کرنا فرض ہے اگر فرض ذمہ میں باقی رہتے ہوئے کوئی شخص نفل پڑہتا ہے تو اسے ثواب بھی ملتا ہے اور قرض کی تاخیر پر باز پرس بھی ہےلہاذہ یہ کہنا کہ ثواب نہیں ملے گا درست نہیں البتہ قرض کی ادائگی کا اہتمام چاہئے
(محمودیہ 9/649)