is stipulated, then that is not permissible, for it becomes a loan that brings the lender a benefit. However, if the additional amount is a voluntary gift from the borrower, without the lender having required it—simply a gracious gesture in appreciation of the favour done—there is no harm in that. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to borrow and would repay with something extra, and he said, “The best of you are those who are best in repayment.”

Question: Suppose my friend is in Egypt while I am here, and he sends me a sum in Saudi riyals. I want to settle the debt in Egyptian pounds. What is the ruling?

Answer: If you pay him the exact equivalent in Egyptian pounds at the current exchange rate, dirham for dirham, there is no objection.

Question: For example, if one Egyptian pound equals four riyals?

Answer: Whatever the rate may be, it is permissible, because this is a form of currency exchange (ṣarf).

Question: What about zakāt?

Answer: With regard to zakāt, each type of wealth is to be paid from its own kind: zakāt on silver coins is paid in silver, zakāt on grain in grain, zakāt on livestock in livestock, and so forth. Nevertheless, it is allowed to convert the cash on which zakāt is due into another currency and then pay the zakāt in that currency, provided the rules of currency exchange are observed: the exchange is on-the-spot, both parties take possession in the same sitting, and there is no deferment. If those conditions are met, there is no problem.

Question: But, for instance, may I pay the zakāt on one hundred dollars with two and a half riyals, on the assumption that the hundred dollars equals one hundred riyals? Should I calculate it according to its market value?