What Is the Ruling Regarding Giving One’s Zakat To Build a Well for a Late Relative?

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Question:

What is the ruling regarding giving one’s Zakat to build a well for a late relative?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

 

Transferral of Ownership

One of the integral conditions for one’s Zakat to be valid is that there must be a transferral of ownership from the giver of the Zakat to an eligible recipient.
The recipient must be a person in order for the transferral of ownership to count. [Maydani; al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]

In regards to this Allah Most High says, “Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted to the faith, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for needy travellers. This is an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Qur’an; 9:60]

In the above verse, the mentioning of only limits the avenues in which Zakat can be given to those mentioned. [Maydani; al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]

Note that this condition applies to all obligatory and necessary charities, such as Zakat, Sadaqa al-Fitr, or expiations. [Ibid.]

 

General Charity

It is permissible and highly rewarding, however, to give one’s voluntary charity toward any permissible avenues.

Building a well in your late grandmother’s name is a great way to gain reward and mercy for yourself and your late grandmother (Allah have mercy upon her).

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When the child of Adam dies his deeds cease except three: continuous charity, knowledge from which others benefit, and a righteous child who supplicates for them.” [Tirmidhi]

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Is the Difference Between Ongoing Charity and Regular Charity?

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Question: What is the difference between ongoing charity & regular charity?
Answer:
Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Allah, Most High mentions charity (sadaqa) in the Quran multiple times.

 If you do deeds of charity openly, it is well; but if you bestow it upon the needy in secret, it will be even better for you, and it will atone for some of your bad deeds. And God is aware of all that you do. [Quran 2:271]

The word charity (sadaqa) is a general term including all good deeds. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Every act of good is sadaqa.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) specifically mentioned “continuous charity” (sadaqa jariya) is the well known Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayra (Allah be please with him):

“When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: continuous charity (sadaqa jariya), beneficial knowledge, or virtuous descendants who pray for him (for the deceased).” [Muslim]

The only difference between Sadaqa and Sadaqa al-Jariya is:
1. Sadaqa can be a one time charity. (ex. giving money to people in need)
2. Sadaqa al-Jariya is a charity that is continuous and the reward is received even after death. (ex. building a well)

May Allah, Most High reward you for your care in upholding his rights during this difficult time.

And Allah alone knows best.
[Ustadh] Omar Popal
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Do We Calculate Nisab With Gold or Silver?

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Question: Assalamu ‘alaykum. What is the actual nisab amount? When the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) mentioned zakat, he gave an amount of gold and its equivalence in silver, but because of inflation, the amount in cash value is drastically different, so what do we follow? If I annually pay my zakat in September but was late in paying, and now it is December, do I recalculate the amount or pay what I had to in September?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

The value of the zakat nisab fluctuates with the value of gold. You can get an up to date value on our zakat calculator in the currency you use.

 

Using the Gold Standard

In the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), the value of the zakatable amount of gold and silver were the same. Afterwards, they changed, and now there is a huge difference between the two.

The fuqaha’ state that zakat should be calculated with whichever standard is most beneficial to the poor. Therefore, people who live in countries that have a relatively stronger economy should use gold. This is because someone with a couple of hundred pounds above their essential needs is not really wealthy – and zakat is for the wealthy.

In poorer economies, it might be practical to use silver as the standard. [Maydani, al-Lubab]

 

Making Up Missed Zakat

If you are making up missed zakat, you would calculate what the amount you owed was on the day it became obligatory for you to pay it, and then pay that amount. So, you would pay what you owed in September.

https://seekersguidance.org/courses/understanding-zakat-practical-guidance-on-the-wisdom-rules-and-etiquette-of-giving-zakat/

https://seekersguidance.org/articles/beneficial-knowledge/zakat-a-comprehensive-seekershub-reader/

May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Deducting Debts When Calculating Zakat

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Question: I received an interest-free student loan from the government, which I have to pay back in 2024, and I also owe money to my relatives, which I am currently paying back in installments. Some people say it is permissible to deduct your debts. Others say it is only permissible to deduct your monthly installments of the Zakah year. What is correct?

Answer: 

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

I pray you are well.

You Can’t Deduct Deferred Loans

When it comes to loans and the calculation of zakat, you may deduct the loans which people are asking for or expecting immediate repayment of. For example, your student loan is not due until 2024, so you would not deduct it from this year’s zakat. Unless, however, you are paying installments on it now, in which case you may deduct the next twelve months’ installment value from your assets.

Non-Deferred Loans Can Be Deducted

However, if you owe someone money that is expected to be paid back as soon as possible, or within the coming year, you can deduct that from your assets (Kasani, Badai’ al Sanai’).

Repay Debts As Soon As Possible

It’s a good practice to try to pay off one’s debts as soon as possible. You don’t want to pass away owing someone money. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Allah forgives all the sins of the shahid – except debt” (Muslim). This doesn’t mean that loans are sins; rather it shows that even when sins are pardoned debts won’t be as they are connected to the rights of others.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Intention for Zakat or Charity

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Charity

Question: If one intentionally overestimates one’s zakat, is it valid to intend that whatever is extra counts a charity? Does it matter if one is not really sure how much is extra?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

If one gives more than the zakat that is due intending it all as zakat, then whatever was due will count as zakat and whatever is extra will count as charity. However, one must not intend that it is all both zakat and charity, or either or (Al Majmu, Nawawi).

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Paying Zakat on Shared Jewelry

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Question: If gold and silver jewelry is shared by two or three people, like sisters, mothers, and daughters, and it reaches or is above the nisab amount, how can zakat be calculated on it for each person, as it is shared by these people?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

I pray you are well.

The Owner Pays the Zakat

Whoever owns the gold and silver is the one that has to pay zakat for it. This is usually whoever purchased the jewelry, or whoever it was given to as a gift, for example.

If they are all the owners of the jewelry, the value of the jewelry is to be divided, and everyone is to calculate their own zakat with their share’s value. If it is not clear, you have to first establish who the owner is and move forward from there (Quduri, Matn al Quduri).

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Paying Zakat Late

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Question: Given that the price of gold varies, how do you pay zakat on jewelry for previous years?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

For zakat on previous years, one would pay zakat based on the price of gold when the zakat was due.

For example, if the first time your zakat was due on was the 21st of January 2010, then you would convert that to Hijri, and use that as your Hijri date marker for each year. Then you would look at the gold values at those Hijri dates each year and calculate based on the local market (e.g. US) for those dates.

Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/zakatcalculator/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/can-pay-zakat-gold/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Who Are the Most Deserving of Receiving Zakat?

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Question: Who are the most deserving of receiving Zakat?

Answer: In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Those Most Deserving of Zakat

The best people to give one’s zakat to are the needy among:
(1) one’s closest relatives, in order of closeness;
(2) one’s neighbors;
(3) one’s community;
(4) one’s town;
(5) the land one lives in.
[Shurunbulali; Maraqi al-Falah]

Note that zakat must be given to a Muslim. One can give other charities to both Muslims and non-Muslims [Ala’ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya].

Giving one’s Zakat outside of one’s locality

It is disliked to send one’s Zakat outside of one’s land. The exception is if it is given to (a) a relative; (b) someone more in need; (c) someone more pious; (d) or to someone who brings more benefit to the Muslims–such as someone teaching Islamic Knowledge [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah].

Hope this helps
Allahu A’alam

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.

Can You Please Recommend a Book on the Fundamentals of Zakat?

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Question: Can you please recommend a book on the fundamentals of Zakat and it’s a calculation based on the current financial systems. Jazakallah Khair

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

I recommend that you study zakat with a teacher. It is much better than relying on a book, as the teacher can expand and answer your questions. This is a good place to start:

Understanding Zakat: Practical Guidance on the Wisdom, Rules, and Etiquette of Giving Zakat

Ascent To Felicity, translated by Shaykh Faraz Khan, is an excellent resource. It is best studied with a teacher too.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Is Spending Money on Financially Stable Family Considered Charity?

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Question: If someone is spending money on his married sister who is financially stable, is it considered sadaqah? If it is not sadaqa but ihsan, what are the virtues of Ihsan? And is it better to spend his money as sadaqah to needy people or helping a community?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum

The word sadaqa is often used as a broad term incorporating all good deeds. The Prophet (blessings upon him) said, “Every act of good is sadaqa.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Therefore, what you give to your family members of monetary wealth to assist them is a form of sadaqa, even if they are financially stable. As to whether it is superior to give to the poor or family members, then the best approach is to strike a balance between the two. There may be some contexts where spending money on your family is required and appropriate, while other times it would be better to assist the poor and the community.

[Ustadh] Salman Younas

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Salman Younas was born in New York and graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies. After studying the Islamic sciences online and with local scholars in New York, Ustadh Salman moved to Amman. There he studies Islamic law, legal methodology, belief, hadith methodology, logic, Arabic, and tafsir. Ustadh Salman’s personal interests include research into the fields of law/legal methodology, hadith, theology, as well as political theory, government, media, and ethics.