Q: Can I give my wealth to my children during my lifetime? I understand that when writing a will the Qurʾān tells us how our wealth should be distributed, e.g. 2/3 to the son and 1/3 to each of two daughters. But if I want to give my wealth to my children during my lifetime […]
Read more...Q&A Fatawa
Are Muslims permitted to eat food bought from haram income (such as money falsely claimed in government benefits)?
Q: Are Muslims permitted to eat food bought from ḥarām income (such as money falsely claimed in government benefits)? الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب A: If one receives state benefits fraudulently the amount of excess benefit so received without entitlement must be returned to the state. If the excess benefit is […]
Read more...Making a ‘waqf’ of a share from a jointly owned asset
Q: If I own a property jointly with another person, can I make Waqf of my half share? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: This depends firstly on the nature of the waqf and then on the nature of the property. In the first instance, if the waqf is for the purpose […]
Read more...Can I be a partner in a company that borrows interest based loans?
Q: I want to buy a business with a Muslim friend, and I want to avoid using an interest bearing loan from the bank. My friend has studied the issue of interest and holds the opinion it is permissible in this country. If the bank agrees to loan the money to my friend whilst I make a contribution towards […]
Read more...Deceased’s estate wrongly distributed
Q: My Aunt died a few years ago and she was outlived by her husband, two sons and a daughter. Her daughter sold all her gold and gave it in charity in her mother’s name at the time. No shares were given to the husband or brothers. I don’t think there was a will either. […]
Read more...Zakat on a Murabaha deal – Example
Context 1) Client will purchase equipment from financier once financier has purchased and assumed the risk thereof. 2) Client will purchase goods on the basis of a MURABAHA sale with the purchase price being paid as per below. 3) The selling price of the equipment sold by the financier to the client will be cost […]
Read more...Can Gift Aid Small be used for construction or running costs for a Masjid/Madrasah?
Q: Is it possible to claim using the Gift Aid Small Donation and use these funds for contruction or running costs for a Masjid/Madrasah project – especially as it’s not clear whether this is donors income tax or general public funds? Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme allows charities to claim gift aid on anonymous (e.g. bucket) […]
Read more...I have failed to pay zakat in previous years. How do I make up for it?
Q: How do I pay it on wealth past gone; which I don’t know how much the total I accumulated was and how long I had it for. I always spent the money as soon as i got it, it never lasted more than a month in my hand and i never put it in my account. How would i […]
Read more...What do we do if the nisab rate fluctuates before our zakat anniversary date?
Q: A year ago, I passed the nisab and I took note of the date and nisab amount. Before my zakah due date, I fell below that recorded nisab, but by then the current nisab had also fallen below what I possesed (so I have less than the nisab of the very first day I became […]
Read more...Is a mentally disabled person exempt from paying zakat?
Q: I have a query regarding whether my mother has to pay zakah on her wealth. My mother has been diagnosed with vascular dementia and the assessments by mental health professionals have concluded that she lacks mental capacity to manage her personal and financial affairs. I have applied and have been successful in being granted the […]
Read more...Does the Al-Qalam Scholars Panel supervise or certify the zakat policies of National Zakat Foundation?
Q: Does the Al-Qalam Scholars Panel supervise or certify the zakat policies of National Zakat Foundation? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: The Al-Qalam Scholars Panel (Al-Qalam) does not currently supervise or certify the zakat policies of National Zakat Foundation (NZF). The supervisory relationship between Al-Qalam and NZF existed from 2012 until 2016 […]
Read more...Do I have to pay zakah on money that I have only had in my possession for 2 months?
Q: Do I have to pay zakāh on money that I have only had in my possession for 2 months? I am a retired government servant and receive a pension. Besides this, the only other source of my income is rent I receive from a house. I live in another house which I own. I […]
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