Q: I contacted a company in China to manufacture goods for me. After placing the order, they will have to make the goods for me and thereafter ship it to South Africa. If my zakaat date comes in between and I have not yet received the goods, will I include the value of these goods in my zakaat calculation?
A: Since the order was given to manufacture goods that were not existent, but will have to be manufactured and then shipped to you, this type of transaction is regarded as salam or istisna in shariah. The sharee ruling of this transaction in regard to zakaat is that you will not include these goods in your zakaat calculation until you receive it. However, if you receive the goods before your zakaat calculation, then you will include it in your zakaat calculation.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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