Question Summary:
Is my brother eligible for Zakaat?

Question Detail:

I have a query in relation to Zakah dispensation. My brother is in a debt of 1200 GBP, and has 100 GBP savings. This debt is on a credit card he used to purchase his car.
His personal belongings (iphone, clothes, ps3, etc) are perhaps currently valued under 1200 if they were to be sold.
However his car is roughly worth 2000 GBP – but as mentioned he used a credit card 0% to buy this.
Based on this scenario mentioned is my brother eligible for Zakah?
He currently works but as today he only has 100 GBP savings?
Previously when he had no job, I gave him my Zakah funds
Please kindly advise.
JazakAllah

Answer :

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, if one’s liabilities exceed one’s assets, then one is eligible for Zakaat.[1] Therefore, it is permissible for you to give your Zakaat to your brother since his liability (1200 GPB) exceeds his total assets (100 GPB).
Personal belongings such as clothes, vehicle, etc are not considered when calculating Zakaat.[2]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best                                       
Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.