Does a woman have to sell her gold in order to pay zakat?

Q: Does a woman have to pay zakat on her gold even if her and her husband do not have enough cash over the nisab? i.e. does she have to sell some gold and pay separately? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومنه الصدق والصواب A: If the gold, individually or in conjunction with other zakatable assets from […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Is it prohibited to get a tax refund on Zakāt?

Q: It is prohibited to get a tax refund on zakat? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب   A: The benefit prohibited to the payer of zakāt is that which comes directly from the zakat itself.  Incidental benefit from a third party, as in the case of a tax refund, is not prohibited.  

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I gave my Zakat to grandmother abroad to distribute but was told it must be given to an established organisation. Is this correct?

Q: I gave my Zakat to grandmother abroad to distribute but was told it must be given to an established organisation. Is this correct? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: There is no requirement to distribute one’s Zakat through an ‘established organisation’.  Provided the Zakat reaches the rightful recipient it may be distributed by your […]

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Is it encouraged to give Zakat to a charity that operates in a foreign country?

Q: Is it encouraged to give Zakat to a charity that operates in a foreign country? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: All things being equal one should distribute one’s Zakat in the immediate locality of the Zakatable wealth.  Failure to do so is reprehensible but not prohibited.  However, if there is reason to distribute […]

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Can I give Sadaqah to Hashimites?

Q: Can I give Sadaqah to Hashimites? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: It is permissible to give optional sadaqah to Hashimites as that is essentially a gift.   ففى الدر المختار:  (وجازت التطوعات من الصدقات …) … (… لهم ) أي لبني هاشم.  (كتاب الزكاة ، باب مصرف الزكاة والعشر) وفى رد المحتار:  أقول […]

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I am getting a university grant, and a scholarship, should zakat be paid on this? if so, when should I pay it?

Q: I am getting a university grant, and a scholarship, should zakat be paid on this? if so, when should I pay it? i.e. pay today and then wait for one Islamic calendar to pass by then pay again?   الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب   A: If you are liable for zakat […]

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Please can Al-Qalam advise if they have carried out an onsite audit at the National Zakat Foundation London Shelter?

Q: Respected Scholars, Further to the Al-Qalam fatwa on the National Zakat Foundation (NZF) dated 25th February 2013, please can the Al-Qalam panel advise as to how the panel is assured that NZF does indeed adhere to the requirements of the fatwa? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: Al-Qalam has an agreement with […]

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Please can the Al-Qalam Shari’ah Panel advise as to whether they consider the National Zakat Foundation as a suitable organisation to give Zakat money to?

Q: Please can the Al Qalam Shari’ah Panel advise as to whether they consider the National Zakat Foundation as a suitable organisation to give Zakat money to? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: We have spent some time looking into how National Zakat Foundation operate. Please click here for our fatwa on this. […]

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Is it sufficient for the recipient of the advance payment of Zakah to be an eligible recipient at the time of receiving the Zakah or does one also have to be sure that this individual will be eligible on the actual future Zakah anniversary?

Q: Is it sufficient for the recipient of the advance payment of Zakah to be an eligible recipient at the time of receiving the Zakah or does one also have to be sure that this individual will be eligible on the actual future Zakah anniversary?   الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومنه الصدق والصواب A: It is sufficient for […]

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I have ceased trading temporarily due to education, however will resume upon completion, do I have to pay Zakah on the remaining stock even though I am not going to be selling it soon?

Q: I have ceased trading temporarily due to education, however will resume upon completion, do I have to pay Zakah on the remaining stock even though I am not going to be selling it soon?   الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومنه الصدق والصواب A: As long as the items are intended to be sold, whether immediately or at […]

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