- EN (English)
| Fatwa ID: | 21633 |
| Title: | Past-due zakat |
| Category: | Poor-due or obligatory charity (Zakaah) |
| Scholar: | Dr. Main Khalid Al-Qudah |
| Date: | 04/24/2008 |
Asaalaam aklium ramhatallah, sheikh,
I didn't know I had to pay zakat on trade and now I learn I have to pay the missed years of zakat that didn't get paid. How do I deal with this issue if I don't remember at all how much I have to pay? Secondly, I'm in debt from that business. Jazak Allah khair.
You need to estimate how much Zakah was due for the years since you started your business.
Only the part of your debt that is actually due (and not the whole debt) should be deducted from your payment of Zakah for this year.
As for the whole amount you owe Allah (swt), it must be paid in full. However, it does not have to be paid immediately if you cannot afford it. You could make arrangements to pay it on a monthly basis, based on your financial ability, until you make sure that the full amount has been paid.
Until that time, you should write this amount in your will because, in the event that you die, this amount would have to be deducted from your inheritance before it could be distributed amongst your legal heirs.
