Zakaat

Q: Is it more preferable for me to give sadaqah (old items) to my domestic worker who is a non-Muslim or to a reputable Islamic organization which donates to Muslims?

Q: I wanted to enquire if Iman (faith) is a necessary condition for purification of wealth (giving in charity, to purify one's wealth, without expectation of reward)? 

If a person does not identify as Muslim anymore, and has apostatized, and does not believe in the religion (does not believe Islam is from God but instead that it is man-made), but still believes in the financial aspects of Islam (eg: giving in charity and purifying any ill-wealth), would his purification of wealth be considered valid (as he is not a Muslim)? 

Would he need to repeat this purification of wealth (whatever sums of money he gave in charity with the intention of purifying his wealth) if he does tawbah and returns to Islam?

Q: Spending on charity is tax deductible. Is the reward of charity decreased if I claim tax back on my charity?

Q: If I allocate a certain amount of money every month for general sadaqah (poor, car guards, domestic etc.) then can I use from these monies sometimes for my kids or family if I run short or I need change etc.? As I understand that spending on ones family is also sadaqah? If I use from these monies for my family do I have to replace it?

Q: Is it permissible to give sadaqah to one's parents?

Q: Can one give zakaat or waajib sadaqah to the street cleaners in Makkah, if we think they might be poor without clarifying?

Q: About 2 years before, my father developed dementia, his health declined and he was not in the right state of mind to handle his finances which we took control over. Zakaah on his wealth was not discharged at the time. Is it necessary for the heirs to pay the zakaah for these years on his behalf?

Q: With regards to the estate of the deceased, if money or gold has not yet been distributed between the heirs and a year passes, is zakah due on that wealth?  

Q: I have a retail business that's just breaking even month on month, alhumdulillah. This year has been my hardest year and revenue is declining. I have approximately R2.8mil in stock that is very slow moving and I want to know, how do I go about paying the zakaat on my business this year? The revenue generated weekly is used for salaries, day to day expenses and purchasing of fast selling goods. There are weeks that I don't take any wage, so I need to plan ahead, so that my business zakaat can be discharged accordingly. My zakaat date is 1st Rabi Al Awaal

Q: I have always had this doubt whether I am eligible to pay zakat for the jewellery which is promised to be mine by my parents but I have never had possession of it. It is there with them with my permission only and they used it for gold loan purposes.