Dr. Mahmoud Omar TRANSFERRING ZAKAH TO ANOTHER COUNTRY Q: Can I transfer zakah to another country, like back home overseas?A: There is a difference of opinion: 📌 Example:Places suffering major crises (e.g., Yemen, Sudan) may be more deserving in urgent times, even if the donor resides in Canada or elsewhere.
WHO QUALIFIES AS AL-GHĀRIM (THE DEBTOR) Q: Can someone in debt receive zakah?A: Yes, but not all debt qualifies.A person in debt (al-ghārim) is eligible only if: 📌 Example:Someone says, “I owe $100,000,” but owns a company worth $600,000.→ He is not considered a true debtor (al-ghārim).Someone who went bankrupt and genuinely cannot repay is … Read more
Q: Can I pay zakah to my parents or children?A: No. It is not permissible to pay zakah to: These relationships involve financial responsibility, so zakah is not valid between them.
Q: If I lent money to a businessman and I’m confident he’ll repay me, do I owe zakah on it?A: Yes. Add the amount to your own wealth and pay zakah on the total. 📌 Example: If you lent $10,000 and have $90,000 in your own wealth, you pay zakah on $100,000. Q: What if … Read more
ZAKAH ON THE WEALTH OF A PERSON WHO IS NOT OF SOUND MIND Q: What if someone is mentally incapacitated but owns wealth—does zakah apply?A: Yes, zakah still applies to his wealth.
ZAKAH ON LAND Q: I own land intended for business but haven’t sold it in years. Do I owe zakah?A: Yes, you do: 📌 This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, though the Maliki school holds a different view. Q: What if the land is for business and I can’t afford yearly zakah … Read more
ZAKAH ON MERCHANDISE & STORES Q: Do I pay zakah on merchandise in my store even if I haven’t made any profit yet?A: Yes. Even if you haven’t earned revenue, if the merchandise remains for a full year, you are required to: 📌 This applies to grocery stores, gas stations, and any business holding salable … Read more
ZAKAH ON BEHALF OF PARENTS Q: Can I pay zakah on behalf of my father if he refuses to do it himself?A: Only with your father’s permission. 📌 Zakah is an act of worship and requires intention. There is a scholarly consensus on this. Q: What if I know how much zakah my father owes … Read more
Q: If I lend money to many people, do I pay zakah on those loans?A: Yes—only if the borrower is capable of repaying.There is consensus (ijma’) among scholars that if the debtor can repay, you must pay zakah on that money each year.
A: Once the money is transferred as a gift, the recipient is now responsible for including it in their zakah calculation.
Q: Do I have to pay zakah on money I lent to someone else?A: It depends on the financial status of the borrower: Scenario: The borrower is wealthy and capable of repaying 📌 Example:If you lent $20,000 and you have $1,000,000 in your account: Scenario: The borrower is struggling or refuses to pay (broke or … Read more
Q: How do heirs calculate zakah on inheritance?A: Each heir must: 📌 Example:If a person has $70,000 in personal wealth and their share of inheritance is $20,000, they will: Q: What if the inheritance hasn’t been distributed yet?A: If the inheritance remains undivided for a full year, then zakah is still due. Q: What if … Read more
Q: Does zakah apply to inherited wealth or wealth that has reached the nisab and a full year has passed?A: Yes, zakah is due on inherited wealth as long as it:
Q1: Do I have to pay zakah on my RRSP or other savings plans like educational savings?A1: Yes, you have to pay zakah if: Q2: But what if I can only access my RRSP funds after many years (like 20–25 years)?A2: If you don’t have full access, zakah is calculated based on the accessible portion … Read more
Q: Does zakah apply to inheritance money? A: Yes, zakah applies to inheritance money. Q: How is zakah calculated on inheritance? A: Each heir calculates their share of the inheritance and adds it to their own wealth. Q: What if I haven’t received my share yet, but it’s confirmed? A: If the inheritance amount is … Read more
Q: We didn’t know about zakah and haven’t paid it for 10 years. What should we do? A: If someone didn’t pay zakah due to lack of knowledge for the past 10 or even 20 years, they still have to pay it. Q: Even after 20 years? A: Yes, zakah is a debt. It is … Read more
Q: Do we have to pay zakah on a registered educational plan or RRSP? A: Yes, zakah is due if the amount reaches the nisab (around $11,000 CAD) and has been held for a full year, as long as you have access to it. Q: What if I don’t have full access to the RRSP? … Read more
Q: What is the meaning of “al-umūr bimaqāsidihā” and how does it affect rulings? A: It means: “Matters are judged by their intentions.”This principle allows scholars to consider: Does “maqāṣid” mean intention? Not exactly. So in Arabic: But in usūl al-fiqh (Islamic legal theory), this maxim often overlaps with the idea that intention determines the legal ruling of an action — which is … Read more
MORTGAGE & HOMEOWNERSHIP 15. Q: What is the general Islamic ruling on riba-based mortgages? A: The general ruling is that riba is haram. Taking a conventional mortgage involving interest is not permitted. 16. Q: Can someone take a riba-based mortgage due to housing difficulties? A: Only in extreme necessity (darurah)—such as when a person with many dependents cannot find … Read more
CAR LOANS & PERSONAL FINANCING 24. Q: Is it permissible to take a riba-based loan to buy a car? A: No. Car loans that involve interest are not permissible if halal alternatives exist (e.g., in-house financing). 25. Q: What if luxury car brands don’t offer halal options (e.g., Mercedes)? A: That does not justify taking riba. One should choose a more affordable vehicle … Read more
STUDENT LOANS & FINANCIAL AID 1. Q: Can a student take a loan just to access attached grants, if they already have enough money? A: Yes, if the loan is interest-free for a set period (e.g., six months) and the borrower: Then this is permissible, based on the principle: “Al-umūr bimaqāsidihā” – Actions are judged by intentions. 2. Q: Are student … Read more
📘 Q&A Collection: Student Loans, Riba, Mortgages & Halal Finance Dr. Mahmoud Omar Organized by Topic for Clarity 🎓 STUDENT LOANS & FINANCIAL AID 1. Q: Can a student take a loan just to access attached grants, if they already have enough money? A: Yes, if the loan is interest-free for a set period (e.g., … Read more
🧾 Q: If a child pays off their parents’ debts, such as mortgages and car loans, does that make them the owner of those assets? A: It depends on the intention. If the money was given as a gift (hibah) with no expectation of return or ownership, then the asset remains the parents’ property. But … Read more
🏡 1. Q: What is the Islamic concept of hibah (gifting), and how should it be practiced? A: Hibah is giving something to someone without expecting anything in return. It is done sincerely for the sake of Allah. If a person gives a house, money, or furniture and intends no repayment, then it’s a valid … Read more
Salam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Alhamdulillah wa Salatu was-Salam ala Rasulillah, sallallahu alayhi wa sahbihi wa man wala. My dear brothers and sisters, welcome again to the “Effect of Differences” series. This is episode number 4, where we will discuss the formation of the different Islamic madhabs (schools of thought). A common question I … Read more
Question:What is the Sunnah of praying Taraweeh? Should it be 8 rak’ahs or 20 rak’ahs? Answer:The number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh prayer is a common question, and the answer is that both 8 and 20 rak’ahs are valid options. The most important aspect is sincerity and devotion in worship. Following the Local Masjid It is … Read more
Salam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Alhamdulillah wa Salatu wa Salam ala Rasulillah, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, My dear brothers and sisters, yesterday I received a very concerning email. Someone was accusing all the masajid that pray 20 rak’ahs, 21 rak’ahs with Witr, or 23 rak’ahs of going against the Sunnah. They referenced Shaykh Al-Albani … Read more