Please click on a question to navigate to it's answer:
Conditions that make Zakaat Farz / obligatory Question:
What are the conditions that make Zakaat Farz?
Answer:
Zakaat is obligatory on someone who is:
Can the amount given in charity be counted as Zakaat? Question:
I gave a lot of money to charity over the year, doesn't that count as Zakaat?
Answer:
The amount spent as charity can not be counted as Zakaat. For a donation to qualify as Zakaat, there must be a clear intention (Niyyat) present, either when you separate the Zakaat money from the rest of your wealth, or when you make the Zakaat payment.
Is all of my wealth is Zakaatable?
Question:
Do i have to pay Zakaat on all of my property i.e cash, assets etc ?
Answer:
Zakaat is payable on 3 major classes of wealth:
Gold and Silver: Any gold or silver you possess is zakatable, including jewellery, because these two metals have intrinsic monetary value. Other precious metals and stones are not zakatable unless they were acquired for the purpose of trade.
Cash or its equivalent: Cash at home, in bank accounts, savings, money lent to others, saving certificates, bonds, shares, investment certificates and so on, are all taken into account when calculating Zakaat.
Stock purchased or held for Trade: Any goods you have bought with the intention of selling, the crops attained from the cultivated land and held for sale, are included in your zakatable wealth.
Zakaat payment in advance Question:
When Zakaat becomes Farz on me, i may not be able to pay all of Zakaat at once due to lack of savings. Can i pay Zakaat in advance?
Answer:
Yes, Zakaat can be paid in advance before the year has ended, but you should make sure you have wealth equal to or above the Nisaab.
Narrated Ali (R.A.): Abbas (R.Z) asked Allah's Messenger (Pbuh): Can Zakaat be paid before it's due date when it becomes Farz? Allah's Messenger (Pbuh) allowed him to do so. (Tirmizi, Abu Daood, Daarmi, Ibn-e-Majah).
Zakaat payment in installments Question:
Zakaat became farz on me on the jewellry possessed by my wife. I am paying the total amount in installments every month by saving some amount out of my pay as i don't have cash savings to pay it in whole. Is it ok to pay Zakaat in installements? Thanks.
Answer:
You can pay Zakaat in installments before the date it becomes Farz on you i.e in advance. But after it becomes Farz on you, you should not pay it in installments. In Islam it is taught not to delay any of Farz once it becomes due.
For ex. If someone has gold that reaches the Nisaab of Zakaat and the amount payable as Zakaat is Rs.50000. The pay of that person is Rs.40000 and he can only save Rs.5000 per month and so he is unable to pay Zakaat in full at the time it becomes Farz. So he should calculate his Zakaat before the due date and pay it in advance in installments of Rs. 5000 every month.
If the person doesn’t feel good to pay in installments, he should borrow cash to pay his Farz Zakaat. And Allah knows the best.
Can a wife give Zakaat to her husband ? Question:
Can a rich Muslim wife give a portion of her Zakaat to her poor husband?
Answer:
Yes, a Muslim woman is allowed to give portion of her Zakaat to her poor husband if she is capable of doing so and if the poor husband is poor enough to be entitled for Zakaat. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have granted the permission to a Muslim lady who wished to spend part of the Zakaat on her husband.
Zainab, the wife of Abdullah (ra) had asked Bilal (ra) to seek for the prophet’s permission for spending part of her Zakaat on her husband and the orphans under her protection, thus said the Prophet (pbuh): "Yes, and she will receive a double rewards (for that): One for helping relatives, and the other for giving Zakaat." (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, hadith no. 545)
How to pay Zakaat for the past years? Question:
In past few days i realized the importance of Zakaat and that its a mandatory pillar of Islam. When i made my mind to pay the Zakaat, i realized the Zakaat became Farz on me since last 3 years. Can you please help me to know how can i calculate the Zakaat for last 3 years?
Answer:
One must calculate the amount of Zakaat that was due each year and pay it immediately. For example, if one owned 5000 USD from Muharram 1420 to Muharram 1423 without paying Zakaat on it, one would pay Zakaat as follows.
The total amount due from previous years is therefore 125 USD + 121.875 USD + 118.828125 USD = 365.71 USD.
Zakah on the rent of buildings Question:
Is it obligatory to pay Zakaat on the rent of buildings?
Answer:
In it's eleventh session held in Mecca, the Islamic Jurisprudence Academy of the Islamic World League discussed Zakah on the rent of buildings and the majority of its members decided the following:
The Quranic Phrase "In the way of Allah" for recipients of Zakaat Question:
Can you please explain whether the meaning of the Qur'anic phrase "Wa Fi Sabeel Allah [ Sura Tauba 9: Verse # 60 ]" .... "in the way of Allah" refers only to Mujahidin or all sorts of charitable deeds such as public facilities, building mosques and bridges, spreading religious teachings and preparing missionaries.?
Answer:
In its eighth session held in Mecca, the Islamic Jurisprudence Academy discussed the same question directed by the Pakistani Embassy in Jeddah regarding the distribution of Zakah.
After studying the subject, it appeared that there are two interpretations of the phrase:
Most scholars hold that "in the way of Allah" refers to Mujahidin only.
Some other scholars regard this as reference to all charitable deeds such as building mosques, roads, bridges and schools, preparing ammunition and spreading religious teachings by helping missionaries as well as any other public interests which may be of benefit to Muslims
After discussing the opinions held by both parties, the Academy decided the following:
The second opinion is held by a number of Muslim scholars and it refers to other Qur'anic verses such as: "Those who spend their substance in the cause of Allah, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, for them their reward is with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." It also refers to a Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud. A Companion allocated a she-camel for riding during battles (in the way of Allah). When his wife wanted to perform Hajj, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to her: " Use it in riding, for Hajj is also in the way of Allah."
As long as the purpose of jihad is spreading Islam, preparing missionaries and spreading religious teachings are also a means for spreading Islam and hence a sort of jihad. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Fight the polytheists with your money, souls and tongues.
As long as atheists, Jews and Christians wage war against Islam and they are supported by money, the Muslims must face them by using their very same weapons.
As long as jihad in Islamic countries has its ministry if compared with the missionary call which is not supported by money or ministries, the Academy decides - in absolute majority - that "in the way of Allah" includes missionary call and all its complementary deeds.
The Zakah channel "in the way of Allah" refers to jihad in its broad sense including the efforts exerted for spreading Allah's word, implementing the rules of Shari`ah, calling for Islam and defending Islam against its enemies. Therefore, jihad is not restricted to military activity. Under this broad sense of jihad, the following are included:
The Quranic Phrase "Whose hearts have been reconciled" Question:
I am not able to clearly understand the Qur'anic phrase "Mualafatul Quloob [ Sura Tauba 9: Verse # 60 ]" .... "whose hearts have been reconciled". Please explain this term. Thanks.
Answer:
1. According to the majority of scholars, the rules pertaining to this channel do not change throughout the years.
2. The most important fields of Zakah payment related to this channel are:Using Zakah money in urging people to embrace Islam especially those who will act effectively towards the welfare of the Muslims.
Urging rulers and kings to improve the conditions of the Islamic minorities and support them in non-Muslim countries.
When dealing with this channel, the legal aims and practices should be taken into account so as to achieve the required targets.
Giving Zakah according to this channel should not have a bad effect on the remaining channels.
Accuracy and caution should be observed in order to avoid any legally unacceptable results, bad reactions from those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the truth) or any harm to Islam and Muslims.
4. The advanced modern methods are to be used and the more influential projects should be chosen in order to achieve the legally required targets.
Zakaat on Livestock Question:
How is Zakah on livestock calculated bearing in mind the different purposes for raising them?
Answer:
Participants in discussing Zakah on livestock according to the various purposes of raising them followed the legal opinion held by the majority of scholars. Livestock is divided into two categories:
First category: Livestock raised for trade. Zakah is due on such category according to the rules followed in Zakah on goods.
Second category: Livestock raised for dairy products. Three opinions are discussed in this regard:
Estimating the raw materials used in manufacturing as well as the other tools used in packing and calculating Zakah accordingly with a rate of 2.5% taking into account that no Zakah is due on fixed assets.
Estimating the raw materials purchased after manufacture for the purpose of sale. Zakah will be calculated on the raw materials but not on the interim materials which are not main constituents in manufacture because no Zakah is levied on craftsmanship.
Giving a tithe of the manufactured output after deducting costs or giving out half of a tithe after deducting costs as followed in calculating Zakah on crops
Zakaat on agricultural produce Question:
I am a land lord and i want to know about the Zakaat on agricultural production. JazakaAllah.
Answer:
The Prophet (Pbuh) said: “On a land irrigated by rain water or by natural water channels or if the land is wet due to a near by water channel Ushr (i.e. one-tenth) is compulsory (as Zakat); and on the land irrigated by the well, half of an Ushr (i.e. one twentieth i.e. 5%) is compulsory (as Zakat on the yield of the land)”.
Ushr is to be paid at the time of harvest. Whereas in the other types of Zakat one should be in possession of the wealth for one complete year.
Zakaat and Ramadan Question:
Is there any connection between Zakah and Ramadan? I hear people talking about it only in Ramadan. Please clarify.
Answer:
There is absolutely no connection between Zakaat and Ramadan. Zakaat becomes Farz on a Muslim when his/her wealth reaches Nisaab and one lunar year passes by it. The date these two conditions are met, is the month to pay Zakaat.
It's true that a majority of Muslims and the welfare trusts claiming to be the most deserved to receive Zakaat are all activated in the Holy month of the Ramadan, but it's just the norm of the society and has nothing to do with the obligation of Zakaat in the month of Ramadan.
Delay in the payment of Zakaat Question:
I pay Zakat every year as per my wealth. There is a neighbour of mine who is poor and who has two daughters. He likes to conduct their marriages after two years. I have kept apart this year’s calculated Zakat amount. I like to pay this amount along with the next year’s Zakath amount to that person. Is it correct?
Answer:
One must make the payment of Zakaat at the exact due date. That is the best way. It cannot be postponed. In Islam, the Farz deeds are taught to be delt with without any delay like Salaah, Janaza (funeral) etc. One of the main reasons is we never know when the angle of death may take our breath away and we never want to meet Allah in the state that we didn't obey Him in the case of a Farz Ibadah.
If you want to help that person in the marriage of his daughters, the better alternative is to calculate the amount of Zakaat for two years and to pay the amount for both the years in advance. And Allah knows the best.
Paying Zakaat to one's own Sister Question:
My sister is a married woman. Her husband is unemployed. Inspite of sincere efforts, he couldn’t get employment. Now I help them as far as possible. I like to know whether I can pay Zakat amount to them. I can gather certain amount from my friends and relatives and can help them, but this sort of payment, I am afraid may be considered as begging. Please also enlighten, whether we can declare that this particular amount is from Zakat fund and help the person?
Answer:
Brother-in-law and sister may be helped with Zakat amount if they are deserving. If the relatives are really deserving, payment of Zakat amount to them is considered as superior. It is more beneficial as you are paying Zakat on one side, which is a virtuous act and you are sympathetic towards the welfare of your own relatives. For the relatives you help through Zakat amount, you get the benefit of Silah Rahmi. ......too. According to a Hadith, “Silah Rahmi’ leads to longer life span and also many blessings from Allah, the Almighty. But it should be noted that amongst the relatives Zakat cannot be paid to the parents, grand-fathers (both paternal and maternal), grand-mothers (both paternal and maternal), one’s own children, grand-sons and grand-daughters.
If the sister and brother-in-law are more deserving, one can gather Zakat amount from others too and this can be paid to them. This is also considered as a virtuous act and in a way this is also Silah Rahmi. It is not necessary to specify to recipient of Zakat from whom it has come from. Just Niyath is enough that this particular amount is being paid to a deserving person as Zakat. Zakat may also be paid in the form of Hadiya or gift with the very purpose in the heart that one is paying that from Zakat fund.
