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Session Details
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| Guest Name |
Dr. Monzer Kahf
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| Profession |
Scholar in Islamic Economics & Financial Expert
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| Subject |
Fatwas on Zakat-ul-Fitr
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| Date |
Tuesday,Oct 18 ,2005
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Time |
Makkah
From...
17:00...To...
18:30
GMT
From... 14:00...To...15:30
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| Name |
Host
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| Question |
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Brothers and sisters, the session has already started. You can submit your questions. Please, make your questions short and clear so as to help us answer all your questions.
Yours,
Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.
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| Name |
Muhammad
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| Question |
Is it necessary to pay Zakatul-Fitr in cash or in kind?
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Muhammad,
The Hadith about Zakatul-Fitr came in kind; one Sa' of barley, date, raisin, dried yougurt, etc. When many of the Companions who lived in Damascus vicinity they noticed that one Sa' (# 2, 176 KG) of barley equals in value 1/2 Sa' of Syrian wheat they approved of one half Sa' of this wheat as equal to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordained.
Based on this and the importance of looking into the interests of the poor, the Hanafites and Ibn Taymiyyah argue that it is permissible to pay it in cash or in kind (using the element that makes a food item in the land) whichever is better to the poor.
You can also read:
Can Zakat-ul-fitr Be Paid in Cash?
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Khadijah
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| Profession |
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| Question |
My husband’s father abandoned his family a few years after my husband and I were married. He divorced his wife and left his children. My husband is the oldest son. He had younger brothers and sisters. We were living in US and were able to support the family, we supported their education, and everything they needed to live. We arranged and did some of their marriages. One of his brothers live with us and we support him in every way. Although my husband makes very good income, by the grace of Allah, his paycheck is spent every month on the running of the households. We own 3 houses, 1 we live in and 2 we have rented out. We have good cars. We also make donations to charities from time to time as we can.
1. What do we have to pay zakah on?
2. I know the supporting of his mother is not considered zakah, but how about his siblings, the support of their education, daily life needs, marriages. Could these be considered zakah?
3. I f they could be considered zakah we have never thought of it as that before or made intention of zakah that way, do we have to make clear cut intention before doing the acts of support?
4. If so how would we do that as it is a part of our daily life?
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Sr. Khadijah,
I believe that you have to pay zakah on the market value of the rented houses at 2.5% every year, there are many who argue that rented real estate are not subject to zakah. I 've written on this matter and I think it is wrong. Cash on hand and in banks, jewelry, debts and some other items are also subject to zakah.
Besides spending on in-need siblings, especially young is the responsibility of their able brother or even able sister.
Also zakah requires intention when you give it, or at least as you give it.
I believe that you should go back and pay zakah on all past years since the end of the first lunar year after you acquired nisab.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Muslim
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| Question |
As-Salamu `alaykum. Can Zakat-ul-Fitr be delivered from one country to another?
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Br.,
Yes, when the need is more urgent as in the case of occupied terrotories, natural calamities or to kin relatives.
You can also read:
Where to Pay Zakat-ul-fitr?
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Dawud
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| Profession |
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| Question |
What is the valuse of this year's Zakatul-Fitr in US$?
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Br. Dawud,
It is about 2-3 USD. I know that there are people who say it is 10 Dollars, but this is incorrect because it is the value of one Sa' of wheat (that is the main food item we take with meals in America) and the Sa' is 2.176 Kg or less that 5 pounds of raw wheat. The mistake came from confusion with the kaffarah that is two normal meals (2 hamburger sandwiches).
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Muslimah
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| Question |
Should we pay Zakahul-Fitr on children born on the night of the `Eid? Please answer in detail.
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Yes, as long as the baby is born before the sunrise of the day of the `Eid. It is always better to avoid controversy by being on the save side. There are differences of opinions about when does a day begins, sunset, dawn or sunrise. So if the baby is bon in Ramadan , it is subject to Zakahul-Fitr, take the more conservative, it is also consistent with the principle of favoring the poor whenever there are two or more alternatives.
You can also read:
Zakat-ul-fitr: Rules and Significance
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Aamina
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My husband has taken mortgages out on some homes. One is the one we live in the others are ones he rents out. We live in US. I know that it is wrong to take loans with mortgages. And I have tried to talk to my husband about it. He says that there were some fatwas given that in this country you can do it because it is the only way to own property and be successful enough to compete with the non-Muslims. Anyhow, how do we pay our zakah when we are oweing loans. We also have some loans which are without interest. My husband is a physician and thanks to Allah he makes pretty good money but he has no savings. All money goes to paying these loans.
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Sr. Aamina,
The pre-requisite for Zakatul fitr is that the head of the household owns the food of the family for one day, nisab and debts, etc. are not considered.
You can also read:
Zakat-ul-fitr: Rules and Significance
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Muslimah
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I would greatly appreciate if you would answer my question.
Am I as responsible to pay zakah on my jewelry myself, or does my husband have to do so? If I have to and I do not work how can I pay? Also, if I donate material things like I donated a lot of clothes, blankets and medical supplies to the earthquake relief what can that count as? I do not think this is zakah, but can it count as sadaqah? What is the difference between sadaqah and khairat?
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
1. Each person is responsible for her/his own zakah. If you own the jewelry you are required to pay even if you have to sell part of it. But if your husband volunteers to pay it on your behalf it is ok.
2. Any property you give with the intention of zakah counts as zakah and anything you give as donation counts as sadaqah (=khairat).
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Badre
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Are we required to pay zakah on our salaries?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Yes, on the saved part of it if it accumulates to a nisab over a lunar year.
You can also read:
Zakah on Salaries
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Ali Abdullah
- Tajikistan
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| Profession |
No Work
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| Question |
What to do when a man does not earn an income concerning zakah? I have not paid for years. In fact, my wife works outside the house to support us. I clean the house and cook the food. My wife says my cooking is bad and too spicy. I change diapers and wash babies. I try my best. It is very sad. No work for me and no zakah. Will I go to hell? I try to help people in place of my zakah but I know it is not enough. I don't have any money at all, not a penny. I know of many brothes in this situation but it is hidden. Many of our women work and some men do not. It is like AIDS, we try and hide it from the West when in fact it is a serious problem. So many lies. Anyway, what can I do about zakah?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Br. Ali,
If you have any extra food to put on the table for the day before `Eid, whoever spends on the family, have to pay Zakatul Fitr. It is a very small amount per persons including babies. It is the value of 2.176 Kilograms of wheat or barly, whchever you eat in your area. If you don't have such axtra, you desrve to be given Zakatul Fitr.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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A
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| Question |
I have general degree in psychology. No jobs avaliable with itself without teaching degree, (which takes 8 months). I don't have money to pay. What if I apply for a student loan? Is this haram?
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Interest based loans are haram. Please re-submit the question with details by email or in another Financial Session.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
fatima
- United States
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| Profession |
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I'am breastfeeding and I fasted the first week of Ramadan and I stopped fasting because it has affected my milk supply. My question is can I break and fast ex: eat for 5 days and fast 2 days. It'll not affect my milk this way. Is it haram or not?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Sr. Fatima,
Breaking the fast with kaffarah (about USD 10 for every day) is permissible for if fasting negatively affect your breastfeeding, because it is the right of the baby. You may break the fasting to the extent that is needed.
You can also read:
Breaking Fast due to breastfeeding
Allah Almighty knows best.
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muslimah
- United States
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| Question |
Who should be responsible for Zakatul-fitr if me and my husband are separated and how should it be calculated since we have 2 small kids?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
The person who is responsible for spending on livelihood is the one who is responsible for Zakatul fitr. If this person escapes this responsibility he/she is sinful but still Zakatul fitr is a duty on the person who actually spends on maintaining the kids.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Mohamed Aslam
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I want to pose a question to you. I am just married (5 months ago), and my wife is having 50 soverigns of jewels. Should zakah be paid for those jewels?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
If the weight of these soverigns is 85 grams or more, yes she is subject to zakah at the end of every lunar year. The first year begins when she acquired nisab (# USD 1000) for the first time. In calculating nisab you add together jewelry, cash and bank acounts and other savings and debts on others.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Student
- Canada
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| Profession |
Student
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| Question |
As-salamu `alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
Jazakum Allah Khairan for all your efforts.
My question is: What is the minimum amount (in dollars) one would need to be required to pay zakah. Would this minimum have to be with you for a full year?
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Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Br.,
It is in USD about 1000 and once you have this amount you should mark the day. If after 354 days you have 1000 or more, you are then subject to zakah.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
sarah
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I have jewlery, money in my bank account and I do not work. Do I still have to pay zakah?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear Sarah,
Yes of course, if they exceed the nisab (# USD 1000) and a full lunar year (= 354 days) passed. Zakah is a yearly obligation at 2.5% on these kinds of properties.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
a
- Somalia
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| Question |
To whom should we give Zakatul Fitr? My cousin's two orphan children or divorcd sister who live alone in foreign couuntry?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
You give it to whoever is in more need, keeping in mind whatever other resources that may be available to either of them. All in all, your sister is more closer to you.
You can also read:
Zakat-ul-fitr: Rules and Significance
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Editor
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| Question |
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Brothers and sisters, we are so sorry for not answering all your questions because the time is over. We apologize for any inconvenience. Do keep in touch. Join us in coming sessions.
Yours,
Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.
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| All Fatwas published on this website (Islamonline.net) represent the juristic views and opinions of eminent scholars and Muftis. They do not necessarily form a juristic approach upheld by this website. Click here to read Full Disclaimer. |
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