Zakaat

Q: At our madrasah in Kenya, we recieve different items as zakat and other as donation from individuals and other sources. Can we sell these items in our madrasa premises at reduced prices and utilize the proceeds from the sale for the madrasah? At times the items recieved cannot be distributed equally among the students.

Q: What is the ruling relating to the deduction of debts owed from the total of Zakaah that is due?

Q: At times people give me their zakaat to discharge on their behalf. Once I gave from my personal money thinking that I will take it later from an amount of zakaat kept away. When I went to replace the money, I realized that the amount was already dicharged. A few days later, I received another amount of zakaat. Will it be correct for me to replace my personal money from the second amount of zakaat although my intention was to take it from the first amount?

Q: I am a UK tax payer and donate to charities. These charities state that they have a 100% donation policy. I tick the gift aid box so the government contributed as well. This money from the government is used for admin costs and salaries by some charities. Is this permissible, as the government donates the money on the understanding that it will be used exclusively for the respective charity and not for admin costs?

Q: Can Zakaat be given to non-muslims?

Q: I have always had my Zakaat anniversary as the 15 of Ramadaan. If I wish to change this date is it possible? Let's say I wish to from next year change my year to 15 Shabaan. I will do all my calculation on that date and give Zakaat at 2.5%. Is this possible? Alternatively, if the date I wish to use in future is 15 Shawaal, how would I put this into effect? Bearing in mind that this will then make it a 13 month year.

Q: What do the scholars say regarding the permissibility of giving zakat to non-profit Islamic satellite channels?

Q:

1. Is Zakat due on the current market value of the land or the original value at which it was bought given that the land is still in my possesion? Also the intention of buying this land is to build a house for personal use.
2. In order to avoid Riba (interest) to buy a house without mortgage, I am intending to buy land(s) such that after few years I will buy a house for my own personal use after selling 1 or more lands. Is Zakat still due on this land(s)? If yes then on principal amount or current market value?

Q: If I have lent some money to a needy friend and the latter is absconding from repayment and is avoiding me, can I later consider this money as zakaat without telling him that I am considering the sum due as zakaat to him?

Q: Is it more virtuous to give money for the masjid maintenance or for sadaqah?