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 timei. 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 الدي ن ) مسلم ١٨٨٦ )

"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 فليتب ع " ) بخاري ٢٢٨٧ مسلم ١٥٨٤ )

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.

AND ALLAH TA'AALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY: Mohmmad Anas Khan 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B. 

Islamic Date:٢٢ رجب المرجب ٤١١٤ 

English Date: 17 March 2020

i فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيًْْا يَرَهُ)سورة الزلزال ٧ )