💰 Family finances · #58
I still have debts but want to give charity. Which should come first?
Repaying debts that are due comes first, because it is someone else's right; small acts of charity can continue as long as they do not affect debt repayments and the family's maintenance.
The Prophet ﷺ declined to lead the funeral prayer of a man who died in debt without wealth to pay it, until a Companion guaranteed the debt (Sahih al-Bukhari 2289), a sign of how weighty debt is. He also said the best charity is given from surplus, and begin with your own dependants (Sahih al-Bukhari 1426). The order of priority: the family's obligatory maintenance, debts that are due, zakat if obligatory, then charity. Long-term instalment debts such as home financing paid on schedule do not prevent charity. Charity need not be money; a smile, effort and knowledge are also charity. See Family finances.
The Prophet ﷺ declined to lead the funeral prayer of a man who died in debt without wealth to pay it, until a Companion guaranteed the debt (Sahih al-Bukhari 2289), a sign of how weighty debt is. He also said the best charity is given from surplus, and begin with your own dependants (Sahih al-Bukhari 1426). The order of priority: the family's obligatory maintenance, debts that are due, zakat if obligatory, then charity. Long-term instalment debts such as home financing paid on schedule do not prevent charity. Charity need not be money; a smile, effort and knowledge are also charity. See Family finances.
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 2289Sahih al-Bukhari 1426Surah al-Baqarah 2:280