Q: With reference to Surah Yusuf (alahis salaam), is it correct for a person working with Public Funds (Government, NGO's etc.) to give preference to his Needy Family Relatives? This would be done in accordance with following the correct procedures, protocols, regulations etc. If it is correct, would it be preferable?
Q: My company has a compulsory pension/provident fund that I am compelled to join. There is no option not to join. I was aware of it when I joined the company, and I signed all the necessary paperwork. Does it still count as a pension fund that is forced upon me, and do I still need to pay Zakaah on the payout. If Zakaah needs to be paid, then on what amount. Usually, the company takes off a certain amount off your salary, and puts it towards the pension fund. You have no access to this money while in the employ of the company. When you leave, the company subtracts off the tax portion, and then only gives you what is left. Does zakaat need to be paid on the full amount of the pension, or only the amount that is actually paid out (which has the tax subtracted)?
Q: Please advise me on the following concerning paying of zakaat. I have invested capital in a partnership which provides a service. There is no stock which is purchased for selling. Do I pay zakat on the full capital investment as well as profits earned or only on profits earned?
Q: I live in Bahrain with my husband and children. My parents live in Pakistan. My father is retired, my youngest sister is divorced she lives with my parents. My other sister is married and lives with her family in Pakistan. My one & only brother lives with his wife in Australia. He was financially taking care of my parents as my parents live in a rental accommodation although they own an apartment which is on rent but the rent is not enough. Last year in August my brother lost his job as he committed a crime (fraud), he worked in a financial institution. He was found guilty & is in prison. They bought a house in Australia on mortgage, his wife works & most of her salary goes to pay mortgage payment (mortgage is for 30 years) she is left with very little amount to pay other expenses (she is expecting a baby in October Inshallah). She had no money to pay the lawyer's fee (the lawyer after knowing their financial condition told her to give her fee in instalments). I've been sending her lawyer's fee (instalments) every month since March. My brother will be released next month in August but will have no income & it will be very difficult for him to get a job (they are Pakistani nationals) so they cant get any help from the government & his wife will be on paid maternity leave. We have also found out from his wife that he has a car loan & credit card loan to pay to the bank in Australia. My parents are already shattered as they are practising Muslims & never ever expected their only son to be like that. His wife tells us that he is a changed person now, feels very sorry for his actions/trouble he has caused his parents & is praying, fasting in prison Allah knows best. I work in a school & I send his wife some money from my salary. I have to give zakat which I can't give at one time (I usually give it every month but I was not as I was sending money to them). I want to help my brother/his wife but I'm not in a position to help them and give zakat at the same time, frankly I want to help my parents too but its impossible for me right now. Can you please guide me if I can give my zakat money to my brother every month or my parents? I'm very confused as I don't know how to give zakaat and help him at same time when I know they have no other help and I don't want to delay the zakat.
Q: My sister is not a needy but can I give zakat to my sister?
Q: Please advise me on whether zakat is payable on the selling price of a kruger coin or on the market value of an ounce of gold. The selling value of a kruger coin is more than the value of an ounce of gold although the kruger coin weighs an ounce.
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Q: Can zakat-ul-maal be spent on musjid expenses, neighbours, people of other faiths, fi sabillillah when there are poor Muslims, orphans, reverts with no means to feed or pay for health expenses in the global Muslim ummah? Can zakaat funds be used to purchase a Lamborghini or a Honda for a Duke or Prince of London under the clause ' mending hearts, bringing hearts together or fi sabillillah'. I'm not Robin Hood but I think I can see right through the answer. I interpret Surat tawbah chapter 9 verse 60 in the sequence in which it was revealed, poor ones before others. But some people prefer to spend the money on their 'bethrons', emphasising on 'mending hearts' and others would like to spend it first on the travellers. I think there should be a separate intention for friends, neighbours, people of other faiths, travellers, musjid renovation, relieving debt and a separate fund for the poor, orphans, reverts, and zakaat workers basic needs. If the zakaat worker's salary exceeds the zakat ul maal, then the purpose of zakaat to the poor and the orphaned is defeated. I need the opinion of our dear Mufti on this.
I hope and pray that I haven't offended anybody, these are hard times and funds need to be spent carefully to earn more good deeds, sawaab.
Clearly the needs of the poor and the orphaned and the ostracised reverts and the families of zakaat workers should not be overlooked in our intentions. May Allah forgive me if I'm wrong. May my brothers and sisters in The ummah and other faiths forgive me if I'm wrong.
Q: My brother for the last 8 months has saved money to build his house, plus he received a substantial amount as a qardh-e-hassan. How and when will he calculate his zakaat since he is currently building his house?
Q: I had a couple of questions about Zakat: