Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Nasihah (Advice): Eagerness to give Zakaat grants sweetness of faith
Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Muawiyah radiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever does three deeds will taste the sweetness of faith: one who worships Allah alone, one who declares there is no God but Allah and who gives Zakaat from his wealth each year with a cheerful and earnest soul.” [Sunan Abi Dawud]
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Question and Answer:
- I have a consulting business. When my Zakaat date arrives, do I include in my Zakaatable wealth the money that clients owe me for services already rendered?
A client who owed me money paid me after several years. Am I required to pay Zakaat on this amount for all the past years?
- A. Zakaat is not payable on monies owed to a person as payment for services rendered, such as consultancy fees, accounting fees, legal fees, or similar professional services.
Such amounts are only included in one’s Zakaat calculation once they are received if they remain in a person’s possession on the next Zakaat due date.
Even if the payment is delayed for several years, Zakaat will not be due for the previous years. [Bahrur Ra’iq 2/208, Fataawa DUZ 3/149]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui
Mufti Taahir Hansa
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
Fatwa Department
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