Zakaat

Q: We purchased a property in the auction in June 2019 (after zakaat calc for that year). We paid the auctioneer 10% commission and 5% deposit. The deposit was transferred to the conveyancing attorney and we further paid the attorney fees and transfer duty (these monies were misappropriated by the attorney). The balance of the purchase price was paid to our attorneys and placed as guarantee to the favour of the seller to be paid on transfer of the property. The property transfer eventually did not materialise due to various issues. The deal was formally cancelled on 11 May 2021, after zakaat calculation for this year.

1. Is zakaat payable on theses monies for the 2020 and 2021 years as we have now received refunds of these monies from the auctioneers and our attorney.

2. Also, monies misappropriated. We are still trying to recover this. What would be the position of zakaat on this?

Q: My brother-in-law is a poor person and he lives in a house owned by his wife (my sister). My sister has gold jewellery and she pays zakaat on it regularly.

1. Can I pay my zakaat to her husband who can do business or spend that money on his wife and children?

2. Can my sister give her zakaat to her husband but she has no source of income and she pays her zakaat from the pocket money that she receives from her parents?

Q: I have taken over a running business in January of this year (2021). I am owing on this business for the next three years. With regards to zakaat, do I commence paying immediately or after 1 lunar year?

Also, for the merchandise on hand, when calculating zakaat do I use the cost price or the selling price of the goods?

Q: My wedding jewellery set is now lost for two years. Until last year, I paid zakaat on it thinking that I would find it. At present, it is still lost. Should I continue to pay zakaat on it?

Q: A person took a loan of R5 million from the bank which is payable over 10 years. R500 000 is payable every year of the principle debt as well as R50 000 interest.

1) When calculating zakaat, will one deduct the entire amount of R5 million as his debt or only the amount payable for the current year of R550 000 (R500 000 principle and the R50 000 interest)?

2) Does one include the interest owing as part of his debts for the zakaat calculation?

Q: Someone owes me money, but a few years have passed and he is not returning it. Can I use that amount to discharge zakaat to him if he is eligible for zakaat, or should I give it to him as sadaqah?

Q: If a person wishes to settle the debts of a deceased individual by using his (i.e. the person's - not the deceased's) zakaat money, whilst the deceased was eligible for zakaat, then is this permissible or not?

Q: I bought a land as an investment, but I do not have a clear view on when I will sell it. I have not put it up for sale yet. Do I have to pay zakaat on its value or will zakaat only be applicable when I put the property up for sale?

Q:

1. How much zakaat needs to be paid on fruit trees, which have been purchased in order to make profits on selling the fruits?

2. How much zakaat needs to be paid on a bee hive, which has been bought and rented out to a farmer?

3. How do I pay zakaat on a solar panel which generates revenue from selling electricity produced?

Q: Does one have to pay zakaat only after one has had the stipulated amount of wealth in ones possession for a year or does one have to pay zakaat immediately after receiving the stipulated amount?

And what is the amount that if reached, one will have to pay zakaat?