I have an account with one of the investment companies. This company deals with Islamic investments (silent partnerships (mudaarabah) - rentals - resale with specification of gains (muraabahah), whereby it collects money and invests it in business, real estate, industrial or agricultural projects within the Kingdom (Saudi Arabia) or in Muslim countries, in order to serve Islam and the Muslims. They give us the profits annually in the form of these shares. My question is: should I pay the annual zakaah on my wealth based on the capital which I paid to this company, or on the profits which Itake annually? What is the rate of zakaah that Ihave to pay?
Answer: Praise be to Allaah. With regard to the mudaarabah [silent partnership] and muraabahah [resale with specification of gain] shares, you should pay zakaah on both the principal and the profits, when one full year has passed on the capital. With regard to the shares which are held in agricultural, real estate and industrial companies, zakaah is due on the profits if they reach the nisaab (minirmrm amount) on their own or when added to others, and one full (hijri) year has passed.
The rate of zakaah is one quarter of one tenth, i.e., 2.5%. With regard to the shares, zakaah is not due on them if they are not available for sale. But if they are available for sale then zakaah must be paid on them and their profits when one. full (hijri) year has passed, as with all other trade goods. If the agricultural company produces grains, dates or grapes then the prescribed zakaah must be paid on them if the amount of each of them reaches five wasq or more. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited