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Zakat Al-Fitr and Financial Issues

Prof. Dr. Monzer Kahf
29 June, 2016

Dear Brothers/Sisters,

Thank you very much for joining us in this Live Fatwa session. We would like also to thank our guest, Dr. Monzer Kahf, for answering the questions directed to him. You will find the answers of your questions below.

Friday, Jul. 01, 2016 | 20:00 - 22:00 GMT

Session is over.
DISCLAIMER
Views expressed by hosts/guests on this program (live dialogue, Facebook sessions, etc.) are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.  

I am living in a country different from my home. I heard that you should pay Zakat Al-Fitr in the place you reside in. But I would like also to pay to poor people in my home country? Is it allowed to pay double Zakat Al-Fitr?



YES, of course it is allowed to pay more any amount. For instance once the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to make Udhiyah (sheep sacrifice) at time of `Eidul-Adha, he offered two big and good rams.

Also what you heard is inaccurate; it is better to pay it where you reside unless there is good reason to send it to another place, your home land or any other. Good reason include people who are in more severe situations like refugees and displaced people or poor kin, or people who suffer from calamities and the like.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it right for a Muslim to use interest money given by govt. on his salary? As it’s mandatory for any govt. employee to have a bank account, so interest comes automatically. If not, what I can do?



Sending salary to your bank account does not mean that it will generate interest if it is a checking account. But anyway, if there is interest in your bank account coming for any reason you should dispose of it to the Muslims poor and needy, preferably through trust worthy Muslim charities. You must not use it for any benefit to yourself as it is haram for you and inappropriate to give it back to the bank.

Allah Almighty knows best.

If I took a loan from a person and at the time of paying it back, we found out that the loan currency has dropped and, therefore, the debtor will incur a loss; should I pay back the original amount or should I add the inflation rate too?



The principle is: a loan is paid back in same currency and quantity it was given. Without being a condition in the contract (even verbal contract), it is good to give more at time of repayment. This is a kind of beautiful repayment.

If the deterioration of the value of the loan currency is big amicable reconciliation between the parties is recommended and if they do not reach it amicably, an agreed arbitrator or court of law may impose a fair reconciliation after studying all circumstance of the two parties and their economic environment.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Can I pay Zakah in installments? I mean every month I pay 2.5 percent of my salary rather than doing annually.



Yes, this is of course permissible but start early so that at the end of your hawl (your Zakah lunar year), i.e., when it becomes due, you find yourself done with it all or only a small portion is to be paid then.

The point is: delaying it from the due date with no good reason is sinful while early payment is permissible.

Allah Almighty knows best.

If any person who had worked as accountant has done riba based transaction recording, and now had retired, he had received salary on the time of job. What should he do?



Recording it after it is contracted is not part of the sins that deserve Allah’s curse as told by our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He said that Allah’s curse is on the two parties and writer and witnesses. That does not mean it is not a wrong doing. Of course an accountant records many normal transactions and he may also record the interest transactions.

The remedy is just istighfar, good deeds, and charity as Allah Almighty said what means, “Surely good actions wipe out the bad ones.” (Hud 11:114)

Allah Almighty knows best.

I live abroad; can I send Zakat Al-Fitr to my own country? Please, keep in mind that people in my home country are in need of money than the country where I live.



Yes, if you are sure that you can reach people who deserve it more or kin relatives who are in need. Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that it will then be a kindness to kin and Zakah at the same time. Be make sure that Zakat Al-Fitr reaches its recipients by the `Eid prayer time.

Allah Almighty knows best.