When will one be eligible for zakaat?

Submitted by user2 on Sun, 2018-04-15 07:34

Q: I am self employed. My business has been struggling for the past 7 months. I have not been able to meet my commitments by paying my suppliers who have now stopped my account. I am not able to provide for my family the way I used to. Allhamdullilah I have been able to provide food with the mercy of Allah. I know I can turn my business around with some financial help. I place my faith and trust in Allah.

My question is that when I ask for financial help, my fellow brothers want to offer me Zakaat. I am shocked, confused and don't know if I am a Zakaat candidate. Alhamdulillah I have everything besides money and no business. I am in big debt as well. Do I qualify for Zakaat, as I am not comfortable with it. I have to consider my family as well.

A: If your debts and liabilities are more than your zakaatable assets, then you are eligible for zakaat.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Category:

Zakaat›Recipients of Zakaat

Disclaimer: The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Muftionline.co.za bears no responsibility to any party who may or may not act on this answer. Muftionline.co.za being hereby exempted from loss or damage whatsoever caused. Should the question refer to a matter in dispute between two parties, this answer may not be used in the dispute in question by either party unless the question was jointly submitted by both parties with an acknowledgement by both parties that the question was correct and accurate. This answer may not be used as evidence in any court of Law without prior written consent from Muftionline.co.za.

This is the standard version of the site.