The Practising Muslim · Fiqh of Zakah

Zakah Compliance and Management Scenarios

Understanding obligations, exceptions, and corrective actions for zakah.

9 questions · Medium · about 5 minutes

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1. When is zakah due on inherited gold jewelry?

  • When the gold reaches the nisab, according to the correct view cited. (correct answer)
  • Only if the owner intends to sell it.
  • Only if it was never worn.
  • Never, because inherited jewelry is exempt.

Why

Gold is not subject to zakah unless it reaches the nisab, which is 85 grams. The source states that the correct view is that zakah is due on jewelry if it reaches the nisab, even if it is used. If past zakah was missed because of ignorance or following a scholar who said jewelry is not zakatable, past years are not due; if it was knowingly neglected, it must be paid.

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2. If a zakah recipient may misuse cash for sinful or wasteful purposes, what may be done instead?

  • Give it through someone trustworthy or buy necessities with the recipient’s delegation. (correct answer)
  • Donate the zakah to a mosque instead.
  • Refuse to give zakah to any poor person.
  • Buy any goods and give them without regard to what the recipient needs.

Why

The basic rule is that zakah should be given as wealth to those entitled to it. But if there is fear that the recipient will misuse the money, it may be given to someone who spends on them, or the recipient may delegate a trustworthy person to buy needed essentials on their behalf. This avoids helping in sin while still giving zakah properly.

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3. What happens if someone uses a trick to avoid paying zakah?

  • The obligation is not waived, and they still have to pay. (correct answer)
  • The obligation is waived if the trick succeeds.
  • They only need to give voluntary charity instead.
  • They must pay double zakah in every case.

Why

Using tricks to avoid zakah is sinful and does not remove the obligation. If someone disposes of zakatable wealth near the end of the year with the intention of avoiding zakah, they still have to pay zakah when it becomes due.

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4. If a company does not pay zakah on its shares, what must shareholders do?

  • Pay zakah on their shares based on company statements if they can determine the amount. (correct answer)
  • Assume the company has paid it and do nothing.
  • Pay zakah only if the government asks them to.
  • They are exempt because shares are not wealth.

Why

Zakah on shares is owed by the owners of the shares. A company may pay it on their behalf in certain cases, but if it does not, shareholders must pay it themselves. If they can determine the zakah amount from company statements, they pay on that basis.

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5. What must someone do if they neglected to pay zakah for several past years?

  • Repent and pay zakah for all years in which zakah was due. (correct answer)
  • Give one extra charity payment and move on.
  • Pay zakah only for the current year.
  • Wait until their wealth increases again.

Why

Neglecting zakah is a serious sin, and repentance is required. The unpaid zakah remains due because it is a right owed to those entitled to zakah. If several years passed without payment, zakah must be paid for all of those years in which the conditions were met.

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6. How should someone calculate zakah owed for past years if they do not know the exact amounts they had?

  • Estimate as best they can and pay based on that estimate. (correct answer)
  • Pay 2.5% of current wealth only.
  • Give any fixed amount as general charity.
  • Ignore past years because the exact amount is unknown.

Why

Past zakah should be calculated based on the wealth owned in each year after considering that year’s debts. If the exact amount is known, zakah is paid on that amount. If it is not known, the person estimates as best they can and pays accordingly.

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7. When is zakah paid on a deposit that is held for several years and is not under the owner’s control?

  • Once, when the deposit is returned. (correct answer)
  • Every month while it is held.
  • Never, even after it is returned.
  • Immediately when the deposit is first paid.

Why

A deposit that is held permanently or for a number of years is treated like wealth not under the owner’s control. In that case, zakah is paid once when the deposit is received back.

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8. What is the ruling on a temporary deposit paid to a school, phone company, or for bidding?

  • Zakah is paid on it along with other wealth if it reaches the nisab. (correct answer)
  • No zakah is ever due because it is a deposit.
  • Zakah is due only if the deposit earns profit.
  • It must be given away as charity instead of zakah.

Why

Temporary deposits are treated differently from long-term restricted deposits. If the deposit is temporary, the owner pays zakah on it along with the rest of their wealth when it reaches the nisab by itself or with other zakatable wealth.

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9. Is zakah due on a house that a person lives in?

  • No, zakah is not due on a house kept for living in. (correct answer)
  • Yes, if the house is expensive.
  • Yes, every house is zakatable each year.
  • No, unless the person also owns a car.

Why

Zakah is not due on houses or cars kept for personal use. But if land, houses, shops, or similar property are firmly intended for sale, then they are treated as trade goods and zakah is due on their value each year.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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