Fatwa ID: 02254

Answered by Molana Muhammad Afzal Hussain

Question:

Is it possible that giving zakah could render one unable to cover immediate basic living costs, so could one deduct such expenses before  calculating the zakah payable for the transpired year? If so, how far in the future could one estimate future expenses?

Answer:

The conditions of Zakah are that it must be possessed for a year and  it must reach a minimum amount (nisab). Once the conditions are present, expenses like bills and short term loans can be excluded from the zakatable amount. (Jadeed Fiqhi Masaail p.213 v.1)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Molana Muhammad Afzal Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham