A man in debt: those who said he does not pay zakah

Tawus said: When you owe a debt, then do not pay zakah.

Ata was asked about a man who has owed a debt for a year or two years: does he pay zakah? He said: No.

Ibrahim said: When a man is about to pay the zakah on his wealth, he should first look at what (debt) he owes to people and set it aside.

Fudayl said: Whatever you owe to people, you do not pay zakah on it.

Al-Hasan said: Zakah has a known measure and limit. When that comes, calculate all your wealth, what is present and what is absent, and pay the zakah on it, except for what you owe as a debt; there is no zakah on that.

Maymun said: Set aside (first) whatever debt you owe, then pay zakah on what remains (if it reaches the nisab).

Sayyiduna al-Sa'ib bin Yazid (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) say: This is your month of zakah. Whoever owes a debt should pay off that debt, and pay zakah on the rest of his wealth.

Shu'bah said: I asked Hammad about a man who owes some debt and also has some wealth in his possession: does he pay zakah on it? He said: Yes, zakah is due on him. Do you not see that he is liable (for the debt)?

Shu'bah said: And I asked Rabi'ah, and he gave the same answer as Hammad.