Assalamu Alaykum Friend
During Ramadan, many Muslims calculate and pay their Zakat. It is the month of increased reward, and most Muslims in our experience use this opportunity to count Ramadan as the point in the year from which their hawl (required annual period) is counted.
There are many questions we receive during Ramadan.
We’ve picked some of the most common ones that we hear again and again for your benefit. Some of these are on the fiqh (rules) of Zakat and some on our work.
There are plenty more you may have, many of which we have answered here at our website.
Question 1: Am I responsible for paying Zakat on the gold jewellery of my wife?
Answer: Zakat is a personal obligation. Every person is primarily required to pay their own Zakat. Hence, your wife will be primarily responsible to pay Zakat on her Zakatable assets such as gold and silver. However, you may pay Zakat on her behalf.
Question 2: What will the National Zakat Foundation use my Zakat for?
Answer: Your Zakat will be used to fund individuals that benefit Islam and Muslims in the Australia and for which it is permissible to use Zakat funds, as determined by our in-house experts who work closely with a range of external scholars. Within these limits, NZF has set strict eligibility criteria for individuals and projects. Expenditure that cannot be funded through Zakat funds will be funded through general donations (Sadaqah).
Currently, the majority of our work is focussed on Muslim individuals facing hardship. This is due to the particularly high level of poverty and deprivation within the Australian Muslim community. NZF is also distributing Zakat funds for Muslim community development and for advocacy for Islam and Muslims.
Question 3: If an asset is bought with a clear intention for personal use, is it “Zakatable”?
Answer: If an asset besides gold, silver or currencies was purchased for personal use, then such an asset will not be Zakatable.
If you have any specific questions for us, please let us know by email and we’ll do our best to answer them.
Again, a reminder to read our very helpful FAQs as you look for answers to your Zakat questions, insha Allah.
