My husband took loan from bank for business. He made loss in business and it is closed. He lost his job with higher salary and now his current job he is not able to pay off his debt to bank. I am helping him in other expenses. I want to know can i give zakat money to him.
Answer
(Fatwa: 1160/949/B=1431)
As per the Shariah, a husband cannot give zakah to his wife and vise versa, it is impermissible. However if there is severe need, she can give it by doing hila tamlik, i.e. by giving the amount of zakah in the possession some poor person and then convince him that if he gives this amount to so and so debtor he shall receive immense reward. If he gives to him, in this way your zakah shall be paid and the husband can pay his debt as well.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband