Zakaat

Paying for one's poor neighbour's renovations using zakaat money

Q: The following has occurred and I am not sure if it counts as my zakaat being fulfilled.

We have a neighbor who is a worthy recipient of zakaat. My parents were in the process of helping them amend some part of their home when my zakaat became due. I had informed them of it and so my mother gave the man who is doing the fixing, the money to buy the tools and materials with the intention of zakaat for our neighbor. It was not given to the man doing the fixing in lieu of his labour but rather for the material needed to fix our zakaatable neighbors house.

Is my zakaat considered as valid ?

Wealthy Muslims taking loans from the bank

Q: In our time, there are wealthy Muslims to take out loans from the bank for tens of millions of rands for the purpose of business, e.g. constructing an apartment block. Or taking out a mortgage for buying a home. Please advise:

(1) If the amount loaned exceeds their Zakaat asset value, does that mean these Muslims do not have to pay Zakaat, and that they are also eligible to receive Zakaat?

(2) Likewise, is it better for them to use money to pay off debts or Nafl Sadaqah/Lillah projects?

Assisting one's sister with zakaat

Q: My sister has separated from her husband. She and her three kids are living with my brother and his family (i.e. wife and two little daughters) in one bedroom appartment in London. Her husband has not yet given her divorce but also does not pay for anything for the kids either. She herself is not working at the moment. Can I pay my zakaat to her or it will only be considered as sadaqah?