Question:
Assalam u alayekum!
If a person has not paid zakaat for some specific year and now he wants to pay that zakaat but he does not remember what exact amount of zakaat was due on him at that time. Rather he makes a large estimate ensuring that it is more than that minimum amount that was due on him in the past and intending “O Allah! accept this, if it is more than that amount I intend to offer it as sadqa e naafila“. He gives it to a single person/organization as zakaat.
Will his zakaat be paid and will he get the reward of sadqa e naafila?
Shukran.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
The obligatory precaution is that a poor and destitute person should not receive Zakat more than his expenses and those of his family, for one year. And if he possesses some money or commodity, he should receive Zakat equivalent to the shortfall in meeting his expenses for a year. An organization can receive more than what is enough for one person and, in your case, you will get reward for giving more than 2.5% of your savings or other commodities.
Imam Senad Agic, Ph.D.
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
www.mesihat.com
