QUESTION:
Salaamu Alaikum Ya Sheikh. What is the food that is most permissible to give for Zakatul-Fitr?
Ahmad Ogene, Benin
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ANSWER:
Amin Alaikum Salaam Wa Rahamatullah. It is reported in the hadith that it is to be given from five things. They are wheat, barley, dried dates , raisins and cottage cheese. However, some of the research scholars have mentioned that specifying these five things was done because they were used at that time. Therefore, they permit giving it from whatever is the common food of the land like rice for example, and corn in the land where it is used as food and so forth.
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QUESTION:
Salaamu Alaikum Ya Sheikh. Is there any Zakah on Diamonds that are used for beautification and wearing?
Yaseera Aminu, Darazo
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ANSWER:
Amin Alaikum Salaam Wa Rahamatullah. There is no Zakah on Diamonds that are for beautification and wearing.However, if the diamonds are for buisness(i.e., buying and selling), Az-Zakah must be paid on them.The same applies to pearls.In reference to gold and silver, Az-Zakah must be paid on them if they reach the minimum amount required,even if they are only for wearing according to the most correct opinion of the scholars.
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QUESTION:
Salaamu Alaikum Ya Sheikh. What is the ruling on the Zakah of a debt?
Salihu Mukhtar, Yola
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ANSWER:
Amin Alaikum Salaam Wa Rahamatullah. The payment of zakah is not obligatory on the one who is owed a debt by a person before it is in his possession, because it is not in his hands. But if the debt is owed to a wealthy person, then that person is obliged to pay the zakah of it every year. If he paid it along with the zakah on his wealth, then he has fulfilled his obligation, but if he did not pay it along with the zakah on his wealth, once he receives it , he is obliged to pay zakah on it for all the previous years.
This is because the rich man could request its payment, but he left to the choice of the debtor. However, if the debt is owed to a poor person, or a rich man who is unable to demand its payment, then the one owed is not obliged to pay zakah upon it every year. This is because it is not possible for him to acquire it , and Allaah, the Most High says:
“And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay.” Al-Baqarah 2:280
And Allah knows best.