Zakaat

Q: The Botswana Muslim Association zakaat committee is currently in the process of restructuring its operations for enhanced transparency, security, and accountability. 

At present, one of our full-time imaams is solely responsible for all aspects of the zakaat operations. To improve our processes, we would like to employ a full-time finance officer to handle fund management, accounting, and financial reporting, as well as an additional aalim to assist with needs assessments, verification of zakaat applications, and conducting home visits. 

We seek guidance on whether it would be permissible to allocate a portion of the zakaat funds collected to cover the remuneration for these roles, given that they would directly contribute to the effective and responsible administration of zakaat distribution.

Q: I borrowed some money from my mother to buy a car. We used that money to pay for the car and I will be paying her back every month. Will zakaat have to be paid on that amount if it is already used in buying the car? 

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?