Does the Mahr Debt Prevent the Obligation of Zakat?

Question

What are the positions on which fatwa is given in the following questions? (1) Does the wife’s mahr prevent [the obligation of] zakat for the husband or not? Please state the ruling on both deferred and prompt mahr.

Answer

The mahr debt is wajib upon the husband. If it is prompt, i.e. it must be paid whenever the wife demands it, or it is deferred but the husband himself is concerned and striving to pay it and is saving so as to pay it, then such a debt prevents the obligation of zakat: if, apart from the amount of this debt, he has property of the amount of the nisab, zakat will be wajib upon…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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