Zakat on Savings, But Has Expenses and not Working

4-1-2001 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have money saved in the bank and its Zakat is due. If I am not working and I have to pay rent for my house for one year (according to renting contract or lease), please explain regarding this case, I would like to be sure about the ruling of Zakat when you have other obligations.
What is the ruling if you receive loan from the government for the purpose of studying?
In this situation what is the ruling of Zakat?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Paying Zakat of money becomes obligatory with the following conditions:

1. The holdings gold, silver, money should complete the Nisaab (minimum amount liable for Zakat), which is 85 grams of gold or its equivalent. (See newspaper or consult a bank to determine its value.)

2. A whole lunar year should have passed after owning it. The Zakat is only paid on the money which remains after satisfying the basic needs of a person and settling all his debts.

3. You may take the Government loans that have no interest/usury. If there is interest or usury then taking them is forbidden, as Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.} [Quran 2: 278]

For the ruling of Zakat for an indebted person, please refer to Fatwa 82490.

Allah knows best.

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