Q: I am interested in trading precious metals and commodities on the market and wanted to know if this is halal. Looking at the market they seem to sell silver based on GBP. Am I allowed to buy and sell these items in the same way shares are bought and sold, in order to gain […]
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How should Islamic charities balance the obligation to give Zakat to local people in need versus giving Zakat to people in need internationally?
Q: How should Islamic charities balance the obligation to give Zakat to local people in need (i.e. in the same countries as their donors) versus giving Zakat to people in need internationally? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: There are several competing reasons as to how and where we should pay our zakat. […]
Read more...Can charities be considered as al-amileen?
Q: Can charities be considered as al-amileen? If so, what percentage of Zakat may be used for administration costs, and what activities may be considered “administration” الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: Aamileen, as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an are the state appointed officials who collect zakat on behalf of the ruler who […]
Read more...Permissibility of Sealed and Unsealed Bids When Selling Properties
Q: If two or more parties have offered the asking price of a property. The standard process is for the estate agent to enter all interested parties into sealed or un-sealed bids in order to achieve the best possible price for the propery. Usually this results in offers being made above the asking price. Sealed […]
Read more...Is it permissible for Zakat funds to be spent on non-Muslim beneficiaries?
Q: Is it permissible for Zakat funds to be spent on non-Muslim beneficiaries? Can they be considered mu’allafati quloobuhum in this context? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: The category of “those whose hearts have to be reconciled” mentioned in Verse 60 of Surah Al-Tawbah refers to various groups of poor [according to […]
Read more...Is it permissible to use Zakat to fund qard hasan, microfinance initiatives or invest into waqf projects?
Q: Is it permissible to use Zakat to fund qard hasan, microfinance initiatives or invest into waqf projects? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: It is not permissible to use zakat to fund qard hasan, microfinance initiatives or invest into waqf projects as none of these avenues satisfy the requirement of proprietary transfer […]
Read more...Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to give Zakat funds to individual beneficiaries in the form of goods rather than cash?
Q: Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to give Zakat funds to individual beneficiaries in the form of goods (rather than cash)? This could include livelihood equipment, such as sewing machines, farming equipment, livestock; medication or medical treatments; school books; education or training courses; paying salaries of service providers (e.g. teachers or doctors). الجواب […]
Read more...Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to spend Zakat funds on assets owned collectively by poor and needy communities?
Q: Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to spend Zakat funds on assets owned by poor and needy communities, and which aim to benefit and assist poor and needy individuals? This may include building or financially supporting schools, hospitals, orphanages or wells. الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: The principle recipients of […]
Read more...Is it permissible to use interest free finance to purchase a car?
Q. Please can you explain if it’s permissible to use interest free finance to purchase a car. Some showrooms let you hire-purchase cars where it’s interest free, with no deposit. There is a scheme for certain company employees that allow the following deal: 8% off rrp and 0% interest. This seems to be a popular […]
Read more...Can Zakat be given to those who have been in an accident and need an emergency life saving operation?
Q. Can Zakāt be given to those who have been in an accident and need an emergency life saving operation? Can this fall under the category of ‘debtors’ as the individual needs to pay this money for the operation in order to survive? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A. Zakāt can be given only if […]
Read more...Is the Takaful model the government wants to introduce for funding university tuition permissible?
Q. Please can you advise as to the shariah permissibility of the Takaful model the government wishes to introduce as alternative finance for funding university tuition fees? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A. The tentative opinion of Al-Qalam Panel is that an amended version of the Takāful model proposed in the BIS consultation […]
Read more...If I have wrongly claimed Gift Aid, is repentance enough?
Q: If I have wrongly claimed Gift Aid, what is required of me now by sharia in this case? The transaction is now complete so is not reversible and was processed via a friend. If the charity does end up claiming gift aid, should I pay some money to the government to balance things out? What […]
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