Zakaat

Q: I am sahib-e nisaab Alhamdulillah, however my regular monthly pay mostly gets consumed by the next pay date. If I receive my pay on the zakaat anniversary date, should I include that pay's amount while calculating zakaat, or whether I should calculate the zakaat on my remaining assets after deducting the following month's expenses? 

Also, what sort of future expenses are permitted to be deducted before calculating zakaat on one's zakaat anniversay date?

Q: Regarding inheritance/working out zakaat, an estate has only money, no business, etc. 

The house and car of the deceased was already given to his wife in his lifetime - it was accepted and agreed by all during his lifetime that it belongs to his wife. 

The person passed away 3 years ago - the estate got sorted out last week and shares were given. 

Must the zakaat be give for all the previous years while they were sorting out the inheritance? 

And when do they pay zakaat for the share that was received? Should it be paid now or would they wait for a year to pay it?

Q: There is a Moulana running a school for special needs children. The school was renting a premises and were looking to purchase a property. 

The Moulana told me a property was identified which would be suitable for the school. I donated 1 million rand for the purchase of the house. 

Few days later I found out that the Moulana gave the money to Hawala people as an investment. I therefore went to him and asked for the donation back as he did not use the money for what I gave (and it was clear that it was for the property). 

The Moulana confirmed my finding but said the school will get returns and I cannot get my money back because it's like I'm licking my vomit to ask for it back in light of the Shariah. 

I did not make him the owner of the money. Rather he was supposed to purchase a property with it which he did not do. I would like to know if I can demand my money back in light of the Shariah and use it in for another Lillah project.

Q: If a person is giving zakaat in kind instead of cash, is the monetary value of the item considered, or is the store price? 

Example: Bag of potatoes is worth R50, but he bought it for R100. He has to give R200 in zakaat. Does he give 2 bags, or 4 bags (costing him R400)?

Q: If there is a person that is in a personal debt of 1 million & his car is also in a debt, income is not meeting expenses & to repay the debt is difficult. His sons online homeschooling has a bursary foundation, can he accept the school fees if its zakaat to reduce the expense & pay towards the debt. 

Kindly let me know?

Q: My wife took out her gold ring to make wudhu at home and then forgot where she left it. This happened last week. 

We searched high and low for it, in the cupboards, drawers, and in every part of the house (in the kitchen, under the sofa, or any other place possible). 

After searching extensively, we have now lost hope of finding it, and we now suspect the helper may have snatched it. Will my wife need to pay zakaat on the ring?

Q: My husband is in alot of debt. He is unemployed and our monthly expenses are being taken care of by my father in law. 

I have some jewellery that I pay zakaat on every year. Am I allowed to give my husband my zakaat to pay of his debts ?

Q: We are having an economic meltdown in our country. Due to lack of forex reserves, there is a vast difference between the dollar in the bank and the dollar on the black market. Due to scarcity, majority of the people are dealing with the black market rate which is very high in comparison to the bank rate. The bank also sometimes charges a premium that brings it close to the black market rate. The whole economy is running on the dollar and things change according to the rate. 

The issue comes about when calculating zakaat and other financials. Some Ulamaa have taken what they call a middle rate to benefit the masses. Others are taking the bank rates. Yet still some are of the opinion that the black rate should be taken into consideration because everyone is using it. What should be done in this case? What rate should we use? Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Q: A person gave his Zakaat to an organization and told them that that since he is giving them his Zakaat, they should assist him by giving him the same amount in lillah. Is this permissible, and will his Zakaat be discharged?

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.