Fatwa #4717711 January 2024Sri Lanka
Can I fund this and later on settle my debts?
Question
As salaamu alaykum beloved shaykh,
My guardian father passed away a few days back and request your kind duaas. Although he had no beard on him he was a truthful and righteous person with a good heart and helped everyone possible who were in need.
I'm planning on donating a water line for a poor household who does not have any water line as a sadaqah jaariya for my guardian father.
I currently have some debts to settle however due to the urgency of a waterline for this poor family and the need to benefit my guardian father from this continuous charity, can I fund this and later on settle my debts? I wish to also gain from the rewards of providing for a noble cause.
May Allah bless you beloved shaykh
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Respected brother in Islam,
In the enquired situation, if the debts oweable are due or if they are not due, the debtors do not mind you paying the debts at a later stage, then it is permissible for you to sponsor a water line as Thawaab Jariyah for your deceased father first.
That is a great act of reward and your guardian father will receive the reward of your generosity it appears in a Hadith:
أَنَّ أُمَّهُ مَاتَتْ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إِنَّ أُمِّي مَاتَتْ فَأَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهَا؟ قَالَ: " نَعَمْ ". قَالَ: فَأَيُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: " سَقْيُ الْمَاءِ "
Translation: Hazrath Ummu Sa’d passed away. Her son came and asked Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), “My mother has passed away, can I give charity on her behalf?” Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) replied, “Yes… and the best charity is providing water”.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
M. Akhtar
Student Darul Iftaa
South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
(2021-04-30)