Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

A relative of mine has asked for some money, i gave him the money thinking that if he returns ok else that will be a help from me to him and i will not ask for that money from him.

Question: 1)Do i need to pay zakat on this money every year.If not, 2) how much zakat i will pay if he returns after 2 yrs. 

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Zakah on loan given

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Your Question: Do i need to pay zakat on this money every year.If not,

The majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that the one who gives the loan is the inherent owner of that wealth, and thus he would indeed be liable to pay its annual ‘zakah’ on their excess wealth.

 

Some scholars have opined that if one has given a loan and is absolutely confident that the debtor will repay their loan, they should pay its due ‘zakah’ annually; but if one has given a loan and is not absolutely confident that the debtor might pay back their loan, there is no harm if one postpones the paying of the accrued zakah when their loan is repayed.  And Allah Alone Knows Best.

 

Your Question: how much zakat i will pay if he returns after 2 yrs

If you chose not to pay zakah on the money you loaned until the debt is returned, and the debtor returns the loan after the period of two years…..then you would be liable to pay 2.50% for each of the two years or 5.0% of the amount as zakah for the two years.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan