Fatwa

Zakaat Query

Question

Salaams. Have a query regarding zakaat.
Earlier in the year we bought a car as a family the cost of which I deducted from my hisaab and as such did not pay zakaat on that cash.
After closing my zakaat calculations and paying it, my dad told me to remove the cost of the car from his hisaab and therefore that amount came back into my hisaab.
Immediately after doing this, i made a payment for a similar amount.
My question is do I retrospectively pay zakaat on the value of the car for the 1447 year or is that amount now part of the 1448 year and as such will be included in next years calculation?
If it clarifies, my zakaat date is 23rd Ramadan and this then happened after Eid.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

The basic principle of Zakaat calculation is that at the Zakaat anniversary date, the following equation is applied:

Zakatable assets less Liabilities = nisaab amount or more = Zakaat is due

This equation holds true despite funds, monies and assets entering and exiting one’s possession throughout the year.

Accordingly, as at your Zakaat anniversary date (23^rd Ramadhan), the cost of the car (assuming you purchased it) was a liability of yours, owed to your father. Hence, it will be deducted from your Zakatable wealth because these funds will be treated as a debt receivable by your father in his zakaat calculations. When your father told you to remove it from your hisaab (after Eid), effectively, he waived and forgave the debt owed. However, since this occurred after your zakaat anniversary date, you do not need to revisit your zakaat calculations. Spending these same funds later is of no consequence in any case.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Bilal Pandor

Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia

www.daruliftaazambia.com