Calculating Zakat on investment

1-11-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I've a question for u and I hope that you would oblige me with the answer. I've invested some half a million Rs. in partnership in business, but somehow I vent got any profits yet and moreover I've no control over my money as its with my partners and they are saying that they will clear off my investment within a few months, so I've neither money nor profits, so how would I calculate Zakaah on it in February when the whole year completes and I've even no other hard cash at hand either, I've only a motor bike, should I've to sell it to pay Zakaah or I've to wait for the time when my investment comes back in my hands, anyway my expenses are being financed by parents. So kindly do me a favour and help me sort out this confusion.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

If the money that is invested in business reaches the Nisaab, i.e. the minimum amount that is liable for Zakat by itself or with other money that is added to it, then Zakat has to be paid on it.

The minimum amount that is liable for Zakat is what is equal to 85 grams of gold after one whole lunar year (Hijri year) elapses on them; that is 2.5% of the capital money and profit after deducting the debts. If the money owner cannot pay the Zakat after one year has elapsed because he does not have enough money at hand, then he can delay the Zakat until he has money and then pay the due Zakat for the previous years.

Therefore, you are not obliged to sell your motor bike to pay the Zakat, or to borrow money for this purpose. 

Allaah Knows best.