Zakaat

Q: Is watering plants a form of sadaqah? 

Is feeding wild birds also a form of sadaqah? (Wild birds that come to our garden)

Q: If there are 2 siblings, one is fairly well off and the other is struggling financially. The “wealthier” one would like to discharge his zakaah.

The question is, can it be given to the struggling sibling, to settle debts. It would pay the credit card debts off and the card would then be cancelled.

Also, debts from medical bills that arose from the birth of their last child, which is with debt collectors. They pay small amounts, but with the interest so it does not do much and the amounts keep increasing. It would only be used for debt payments and no other purpose. Please advise.

Q: I have previously given an elderly person zakaat money to pay off his son's debt, without the son knowing. The zakaat though was was given with the intention for the son as he is zakaat liable. From my understanding tamleek (taking ownership) did not take place, is my zakaat valid, or do I have to take out the amount again?

Q: What is the masala regarding Zakaat on gold coins?

Q: We hosting a charity event to raise money for cancer. A person would like to donate sadaqa money, can we use it? If yes, what are the do's and don'ts?

Q: A person has two out buildings on his property which he rents out. One is attached to the house which he is living in, he is also earning a salary. His total monthly income is more than double the zakaat nisaab amount. However, by the middle of the month, he doesn’t have any money left. He also owes his wife and some relatives some money. Is it permissible for such a person to accept Zakaat?

Q: For better distribution and reaching to deserving people, is it allowed if one delays payment or distribution of (zakat, charity and other due payment) not on the spot but regularly (monthly) to needy people. He will finish all due payments before the end of the Islamic year. If it is allowed and the person passes away during the year, will he be sinful.

Q: My maid had to return me a loan of 70 thousand rupees. I made up my mind to give her 30 thousand from my zakat money. I had 15000 zakat amount with me, when I gave it to her, she asked how much is it? I said its 30,000 as by that time I totally forgot that it was 15,000 and not 30 thousand. She returned it to me without counting and said that deduct this amount 30k from your loan. Later I remembered the mistake.

Question: is 15k discharged as zakat, or 30k? Should I deduct 15k from the loan amount or 30k?

Q: I get Rs. 10,000 as salary per month and give out 10 percent of it (i.e Rs. 1000) as sadaqa every month. A needy person wants Rs. 12000. Can I give him total 12000 of my sadaqa amount considering it as an advance sadaqa for the next 12 month salaries?

Q: A group of people formed a company. Some of the partners say that zakaat is due annually on the date of inception. While others say each shareholder needs to pay Zakaat according to the value of his share on the day on which his Zakaat is due annually. Please advise on what date should the Zakaat for the company be calculated?