Most-asked question
Is zakaat payable on savings and cash?
207 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 7 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Azaadville, Camperdown, Ibn Masood, Amjadi and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“Yes, it is permissible for you to help her pay her rent with zakaat money. You can either give her the money to pay it herself or you can pay it on her behalf. In this case where you pay it directly on her behalf, you should first take her permission before paying the money to her landlord.”
“Giving zakat in kind (such as groceries, clothes, books, or other items) instead of cash is also permissible. However, giving in cash is more preferable, as it is generally more beneficial for the poor, allowing them to purchase what they need according to their own circumstances.”
“In the queried scenario, Zakaat will be paid on the R240 000, as the money was received before your Zakaat date. It will be best to request the employer to pays the advance salary for just three months at a time instead of twelve months.”
“1. The money that you have saved in your ISA account is still regarded to be your money. However, the £450 that you owe to the credit card company will be regarded as a debt upon you. Therefore, it will be deducted from your total assets when calculating Zakat.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Paying the employee's rent with zakaat money Mufti Online · 29 Apr 2026
- Can Zakat Be Given in Kind (Not Cash)? Camperdown · 10 Feb 2026
- Giving zakat money for a feeding scheme - Will this be permissible? AskImam · 8 Oct 2025
- Zakaat Calculation When I Owe Money And Money Is Owed To Me Azaadville · 8 Jul 2025
- Zakaah via Cash or EFT Ibn Masood · 11 Apr 2025
- Zakaat On Savings To Buy A House Excessive Use Of Water In Istinja When Fasting Amjadi · 2 Apr 2022
- Is Zakat due on money received a day before my annual Zakat date? Jamiat KZN · 30 Jul 2021
- Discharging the market value of goods for zakaat if one does not have cash Mufti Online · 28 Jul 2024
- Zakat on cash and Kruger Coin Camperdown · 18 Mar 2025
- Can administration costs be taken from zakah money AskImam · 26 Jun 2025
- Zakaat On Gold Discharged With Money Azaadville · 20 Jan 2023
- Zakaat on salary received in advance Ibn Masood · 14 Mar 2024
- Zakaat on money owed to a person Mufti Online · 24 Sep 2022
- Taking admin fee from Zakat money Camperdown · 24 Feb 2024
- Zakat on saved money AskImam · 25 Mar 2024
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