Unpaid zakat treated as a debt payable from the estate.
In Islamic law
Where zakat was due and unpaid, many scholars treat it as a debt of the estate to be discharged before distribution.
In Canadian law
Not recognised by Canadian law as a debt, so it must be provided for expressly in the will or paid voluntarily by the heirs.
We have not yet researched whether the four Sunni schools differ on this term, so we are not going to tell you either way. Where a specific case turns on it, ask a qualified scholar rather than relying on a general summary.
This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.
Citations & sources
Every factual claim on this page traces to a source below. Details change — check the original source before relying on any figure, fee or legal position.
- Surah an-Nisa 4:11 — shares of children and parents — Quran.com
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 85: Laws of Inheritance (Faraid) — Sunnah.com
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Inheritance — Sunnah.com
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill