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Fatwa CenterZakah on money one borrowed from others
Question
Please give me a detailed answer to my questions, about Zakaat.1- I have a debt that amounts to $ 8ooo; I am not intending to pay the whole dept at once. I am only making monthly payments which may take more than a year for finish up, should I deduct the whole debt (total $8,000) then pay Zakaat on the rest?, or deduct only the amount of a single payment at that same month.
2- I live in the United States, the government deduct a sum of money out of each paycheck which goes towards retirement and social security, also 401k, should I count that and take Zakaat from it, knowing that I am not to take that money out and use it with out penalties unless I am over 65 years of age, If I died before the age of 65, then I lose that money. 3- I get paid every week, how would I go by determining how much money that has been with me and a lunar year passed over it, or should I just count all the money I have at the end of the year and pay Zakaat, regardless of how long I have had that money. Thank you, may Allaah reward you.
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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
As you know, the Zakah becomes due after passing a complete lunar year from the time when the amount reaches the Nisaab (the minimum amount liable for Zakah). You only have to deduct the amount of the debt that you have to pay when the Zakah becomes due on you. See Fatwa 89757.
As for your second question, you are not subject to pay Zakah for the deducted money unless you receive it since Zakah is only due on the money which is under the control of the person. See the details in Fatwa 88934.
As for how to pay the Zakah of the accumulated money read Fatwa 83099 and 82016.
Allaah Knows best.
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