Zakaat

Q: Can Zakaat be given to non-muslims?

Q: I have always had my Zakaat anniversary as the 15 of Ramadaan. If I wish to change this date is it possible? Let's say I wish to from next year change my year to 15 Shabaan. I will do all my calculation on that date and give Zakaat at 2.5%. Is this possible? Alternatively, if the date I wish to use in future is 15 Shawaal, how would I put this into effect? Bearing in mind that this will then make it a 13 month year.

Q: What do the scholars say regarding the permissibility of giving zakat to non-profit Islamic satellite channels?

Q:

1. Is Zakat due on the current market value of the land or the original value at which it was bought given that the land is still in my possesion? Also the intention of buying this land is to build a house for personal use.
2. In order to avoid Riba (interest) to buy a house without mortgage, I am intending to buy land(s) such that after few years I will buy a house for my own personal use after selling 1 or more lands. Is Zakat still due on this land(s)? If yes then on principal amount or current market value?

Q: If I have lent some money to a needy friend and the latter is absconding from repayment and is avoiding me, can I later consider this money as zakaat without telling him that I am considering the sum due as zakaat to him?

Q: Is it more virtuous to give money for the masjid maintenance or for sadaqah?

Q: I just want to clarify if a family member (father) is in debt, can a son pay off his debt using his zakah contribution?

Q: Many people say that in a place where many Muslims are not found, zakaat can be given to poor non-Muslims. Is this true? If its not true what should be done?

Q:  I have a monthly income of R10 000 which is paid on the 1st of every month. At the end of the month I barely have anything left. I also have no savings. I was previously wealthy and also I never went insolvent. I always took out my zakaat in the first week of Ramadhan. If the first week of Ramadhan falls on the 1st week of the gregorian calender when I receive my salary, is zakaat waajib on me?

Q: My haul-date in zakat is the 27th of Ramadan. Is it permissible for me to pay X pounds before the 27th, if I know that my zakat will be to more than X pounds, and pay the rest after the 27th (when I have calculated the exact amount)? Or do I have to pay everything after the 27th?