Alms Tax: Paying the Debt of a Dependent with Zakat

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Ayatullah Sistani

Ruling 1961

If a person is in debt but is unable to repay his debt, one can repay it for him from zakat even if his expenses are obligatory for him.

-Ayatullah Sistani, Practical Laws of Islam, Alms Tax (Zakat)