The Diffrence between Khums and Zakat
Question :

Please could you explain why it has become widely circulated that the Shias pay the Khums, while the payment of Zakat is not common amongst them, although I know that they are both equally obligatory?

Answer :

Zakat is among the obligations that have been emphasized by the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Prophet and the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them). Not paying it is considered among the major sins for which Allah has promised hellfire.
The jurists have explained the conditions and rulings about Zakat in their books. Zakat is obligatory on the following three groups of properties:
(1) Gold and silver minted coins.
(2) The four crops: wheat, barley, raisins and dates.
(3) The four livestock: camels, cows, goats and sheep.
Gold and silver coins are not used as tender nowadays, so the Zakat on this group does not apply. The Zakat on the other items are not obligatory unless their quantity reaches a particular threshold, which most people do not possess nowadays. One can see that the application of obligatory Zakat is much less than Khums, which is obligatory on all net income, as Allah has said: “And know that whatever thing you gain, indeed a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the Messenger and for the kinsman and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer” (8:41).The condition of the obligation of Khums, which is the existence of a net income, applies to almost everybody, however little it may be. On the other hand, Zakat is only applicable for those who own at least a particular amount of the mentioned crops and livestock.

Zakat on Cash
Question :

Is payment of Zakat on any amount of money obligatory and what are the conditions to be met, if any?

Answer :

It is not obligatory to pay the Zakat on cash, as it is not one of the nine things upon which Zakat is obligatory. However, it is obligatory to pay Khums if the necessary conditions are met.

Zakat-ul-Fitra
Question :

My wife has been pregnant for five months, and Eid-ul-Fitr is approaching, when I will have to pay Zakat-ul-Fitra. Do I also have to pay for my unborn child?

Answer :

It is not obligatory to pay Zakat-ul-Fitra for the fetus.

Zakat on Wealth
Question :

How can I calculate zakat on my wealth?

Answer :

There is no zakat on real estate or on cash assets.

Zakat on Jewelry
Question :

My wife has some gold jewelry which she wears occasionally, and it is about 120 grams in total. Is Zakat due on this?

Answer :

There is no Zakat on gold jewelry.

Zakat on Cats
Question :

We have two cats; both are over four years old. Are they liable for Zakat?

Answer :

There is no zakat on cats.

The Obligation of Zakat-ul-Fitra
Question :

Is Zakat-ul-Fitra obligatory on someone whose income can meet his annual needs?

Answer :

Yes, Zakat-ul-Fitra is not obligatory on those whose income cannot meet his annual expenses

Parents do not Pay Zakat
Question :

My parents do not pay Zakat ul-Fitra on our behalf. So, is it obligatory on me as their son to pay it on my behalf?

Answer :

It is obligatory based on compulsory precaution.

Zakat on Monthly Salary
Question :

Do I have to pay any Zakat on my monthly salary?

Answer :

Zakat is not obligatory on the monthly salary. Instead, Khums is applicable if certain conditions are met.

Paying Zakat-ul-Fitra without Fasting
Question :

I did not fast during this month of Ramadan due to illness. Does this mean that I do not have to pay Zakat ul-Fitra?

Answer :

A duty-bound individual who is not needy as per the Sharia is obligated to pay the Fitra for himself and all his dependents, even if he did not fast that month.

Bank Account
Question :

My wife and I are both working. We have a joint current account into which both our salaries are deposited. Is Zakat due on my bank account balance that remains at the end of our financial year?

Answer :

The balance in the bank account is not subject to Zakat.

Paying Zakat to a Needy Person
Question :

Is it permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitra to a needy person who did not fast the month of Ramadan?

Answer :

If the needy person did not fast during the holy month for a valid reason accepted by the Sharia, then it is permissible to give him Zakat al-Fitra. If he abstained from fasting without a justifiable reason, then it is not permissible to pay it to him based on an obligatory precaution.

The Obligation of Zakat
Question :

If both father and son earn for the family, who has to pay Zakat al-Fitrah? Is it sufficient for the father to pay on behalf of his son and others?

Answer :

The obligation is on both of them to pay the Zakat for themselves, as well as those under their maintenance in proportion of the amount they earn. For example, in a family of five, the father may be earning more than the son, so the son may pay for himself as well as one other person, while the father pays for himself as well as the rest of the family. It is also valid if the father pays the Zakat for all the family.