Q: My question is that does the business subtract Long term Liabilities when doing the zakaat calculation e.g. a loan of R2 million financed through the bank to purchase fixed assets and property.

Q: I have been told that it is possible for us to form a Family Foundation, register it as a donor organization with the Receiver of Revenue for tax deductions for donations.  As the taxes we pay are used in un-Islamic ways by the Govt., e.g., abortions, corruption, mismanagement of funds, etc, it is better for us to pay as little tax as possible.  Since the donations made by the Foundation are tax deductible, it is a way in which Muslims can minimize their tax burden in a legal way when Zakaat is paid.

Q: Are there any duas a female can read for marriage? I have been told about reading Surah Mumtahinah and Surah Dahr.

Q: Is it advisable to ask the opinion of the pious for suitable names by providing the names chosen by the husband and wife in order for him to choose or should one just choose an Islamic name with a good meaning? 

Q: Are ladies permitted to stand in the saffs of the men in jamaat salaah. In Bahisti Zewar under the section "Prerequisites of Salaah" there is a masalah that says that the Imaam must make niyyat for a woman who intends joining the Jamaat Salaah if she is standing in line with the men. However if she is standing behind them, then the Imaam does not have to make niyyat for her. This masalah seems to show permissibility for the women to be in line with the men?

Q: What are the requirements for a widow to be eligible for zakaat if she has no income of her own but does have jewellery.

Q: We often hear that a person who drops the Qur'an should give sadaqah. Is there any substanciation of this sort in the Ahaadith?

Q: Can zakaat be used to pay maintenance for a child born out of wedlock with a non muslim mother? The child does not live with the father who is married himself with children.

Q: I earn a salary of R13000.00 and I have seven children. Alhamdulillah, my expenses of rental, lights and water, maid, school fees, an interest free loan that I took to buy a car and petrol add up to R8700.00 which doesn’t leave us much for Food, nappies, clothing and medical. Am I justified in approaching someone for a monthly assistance in the form of zakaat to pay either my rental or lights and water? Neither my wife nor I own any gold or jewellery. A flat that my mother is presently occupying will only become mine after her demise, may Allah grant her long life, aameen. My father left property in India for us but I do not possess the means or the knowhow of acquiring this. 

Q:If a person is eligible for zakaat and he needs to pay school fees for his kids, can I tell him that I will pay the school fees (with zakaat money)?