Zakaat

Q: Please advise me regarding how I should pay zakaat on retirement annuities and pension funds.

Q: I am listening to a lecture here at work and just determined or realised that there is a difference between zakaat, fitrah and sadaqah and I realised that I don't think I pay zakat? I feel so ashamed now as I was so ignorant to this and I would like to rectify this immediately. I tried to Google zakaat now but its a bit confusing. So if I may, can Mufti explain to me the difference between the 3 and how do I calculate zakaat and when I must pay it. Your guidance and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Q: Must I pay zakaat on my ruling money in my business or only my profit money?

Q: Could the Respected Scholar kindly explain the following Zakaah queries:

1. Some poor (zakaah liable) individuals are owing us money (R1000). Can we settle their debt (R1000) as a payment for our Zakaah and exclude the amount (R1000) from our total Zakaah?
2. If the above is permissible, do we have to inform the liable debtors that they can keep the loan amount (1000) as Zakaah, and the debt is settled?
3. If No.1 is permissible, are there any other conditions, requirements etc.?
4. If No.1 is not permissible, what should be done and how will it effect our Zakaah?
5. How and when is Bad Debt Defined for Zakaah?
6. What's the ruling for Bad Debt?
7. Is it correct to say and understand; that if we don't Qualify to  pay Zakaah, then we Qualify to receive Zakaah?
8. Does owning a House (personal not commercial), Car disqualify one from receiving Zakaah, even though one does not qualify to pay Zakaah?
9. How does an Interest (Allah Ta'ala forgive us and make its repayment as fast as possible) loan effect the Zakaah? And how is it deducted etc.?
10. What's the Status of the Zakaah given to an individual which one was certain is liable, only to find out he is not? Is the Zakaah fulfilled? Is repayment necessary?

Q: My wife has 5 tola gold and £600. How much would her zakat be?

Q: In the country I stay, there is a big difference in the black dollar and official dollar rate. The dollar in this country is not the local currency. When I change dollars, I change on the black market because of the rate being higher. I normally take out my zakaat in the local currency. On the dollars that I have, should I take out my zakaat on the black market rate or on the official rate?

Q: Is it permissible to give one's zakaat towards paying for the purchase of a funeral vehicle for needy muslim communities?

Q: One of my mother's sister lives in UK. She gave a gold necklace, a pair of ear rings, finger ring and a pair of bangles to my daughter (who also stays there after marriage) to give it to me so that I can use it in my daughter's marriage. My daughter has given it to me, but I don't want to keep such a precious gift.

1. What can I do?
2. Shall I need to take out zakaat for that?

Q: My father owned an apartment in Pakistan which had always been on rent. A week back, he sold it and received the money against it two days ago. My question is, when giving zakaat, will this money be taken into account? Or will it be considered after it has been in possession for a year?

Q: At our madrasah in Kenya, we recieve different items as zakat and other as donation from individuals and other sources. Can we sell these items in our madrasa premises at reduced prices and utilize the proceeds from the sale for the madrasah? At times the items recieved cannot be distributed equally among the students.