Q: Aslam
I need a reply to my question can u please answer my question. For past 3 year I couldn’t pay zakat because my husband had shops and the shops got repossed as in taken back, we live on benefits but benefit money just takes us to bills and food.we have loans from banks of 70.000 as well as relatives around 30.000 and I have gold jewery value at 15.000 also we have 4 young children.can u please answer my question because I really went to give zakat but I don’t have any money just about housekeeping.look forward hearing from u soon plus is qurbani. How do I give that.

Time: October 3, 2013 at 6:58 AM

A: Walaikumsalam,

If the loans and businesses belong to your husband and your husband could not pay back his loans, that does not mean you (the wife) is also in debt. In Islam, what belongs to your husband belongs to him, that which belongs to you is yours. Thus, if the loans are all on his name, he may be excused from the Qurbani and zakah.

As for you, if the jewelry belongs to you and you are the rightful malik (owner) of it, you would qualify for Zakat and Qurbani based on your financial status. You may sell part of the jewelry or take a loan and pay your Zakat and Qurbani from its assets.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

If you both are partners in the business, the answer would differ. Our above answer is on the general nature of such questions. Kindly resend if unclear