Know Your Deen

Islamic QA for North America

March 7, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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Do i deduct Mortgage amount from Zakah

Question: An individual possesses $100,000 in liquid assets (cash) and has a mortgage with annual installments totaling $60,000, for ones calculation, does one deduct the annual debt obligation from the zakatable base? We seeing mixed opinions online. You have implied on parts of your QnA (on this site) that no deductions are to be made, is this correct? Are their multiple options and opinions, how to remove the confusion? It is not that i do not want to pay, just seeking clarity.

Answer: Within the Fiqh there are multiple opinions regarding how long-term and deferred debts affect liquid (cash on hand) wealth when calculating Zakat. These differences exist across the various schools of thought, and even within the Hanafi school itself ther e are multiple views. For many years, the stricter opinion has often been followed. Due to economic complexities and financial situations, some ‘contemporary scholars’ have presented a more lenient approach that may be used depending on one’s financial situation. This too is deduced from the sharia.

First position:
This position is from some of the ‘contemporary’ Hanafi scholars. It is based on the principle that Zakat is only due on wealth that is beyond one’s essential needs. Since mortgage installments for the upcoming year are obligations that must be paid within the current Islamic year cycle, this portion of wealth is not considered truly surplus. Therefore, a person may deduct the next 12 months of mortgage payments from their liquid assets before calculating Zakat.
Example:$100,000 (Total Cash/Liquid Assets) − $60,000 (Mortgage Payments for the Next 12 Months) = $40,000 (Net Zakatable Assets). Thus, Zakat Liability: $1,000 (2.5%)

Second Position: The more traditional view (that we have used):
This is the stricter classical opinion, historically supported by many scholars, including positions found among Maliki and Shafi jurists. According to this view, a mortgage is Dayn Muajjal (deferred debt). Since the full amount is not immediately due, it is not deducted from the zakatable amount. As long as the wealth remains in the owner’s possession, Zakat is due on the full amount.
Example: $100,000 (Total Cash/Liquid Assets) − $0 (No Deduction) = $100,000 (Net Zakatable Assets). Thus, Zakat Liability: $2,500 (2.5%)
So what should one do?
One should look at their specific situation: one can use Position I if things are financially tight, then gradually move toward Position II for greater religious precaution as their financial circumstances improve. Both are correct opinions. Look at your position and act accordingly.
Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 7, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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401K

Question:
If my spouse held a 401(k) for only six months, how does the Hanafi Zakat anniversary affect its calculation?

Answer: In the Hanafi* school, Zakat is calculated based on your total wealth on your established Zakat date (e.g., the 10th of Ramadan). The fact that the 401(k) was opened recently does not change your Zakat anniversary. What matters is whether your total zakatable wealth meets or exceeds the Nisab on your anniversary. Even if your overall wealth dipped below the Nisab during the year, you still pay Zakat on your anniversary as long as the total wealth—including the 401(k) balance that is accessible—meets the Nisab on that date. (If you never paid Zakah ever, then you still have 6 months more to go before you pay, because your cycle of giving has not started.)

If you eligible to give Zakaah — since retirement funds are not fully accessible, Zakat is paid only on the cashable portion. So after accounting for early withdrawal penalties and estimated taxes and other fees associated with this account, whatever is left, you would pay only on that amount. Example: If the 401(k) balance is $200,000, but if penalties and taxes reduce the accessible amount to $98,000, you would pay 2.5% of $98,000, which equals $2,450, on your established Zakat date, even though the account has only been open for six months.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

*We use the phrase Hanafi, because you will see differing opinions on this as it relates to Zakah amount to be given

March 7, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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Money be like magic, once given its gone!

Q: If I loaned someone $20,000, who pays the Zakat on it?

A: If one loaned someone $20,000, the responsibility for Zakat remains with the lender (the one that gave the loan), since the money still belongs to them even though it is temporarily with the borrower. However, how Zakat is treated depends on the likelihood of repayment.

1: If the borrower acknowledges the debt and is reasonably expected to repay it and confirms the debt (or even makes payments, etc), this type of loan is considered a ‘Strong Debt (Dayn ul Qawī).’ Thus, the lender should include the $20,000 in their zakatable assets each year and pay 2.5% ($500) annually. The lender may either pay this Zakat each year or keep track of it and pay the accumulated amount once the loan is repaid.

2: If the debt becomes doubtful or weak (Maal al-Ḍimaar), meaning there is no reasonable expectation of repayment—such as when the borrower is bankrupt, denies the debt, cannot be located, or the lender has effectively lost hope of recovery—then Zakat is not required annually while the debt remains unrecoverable. If the money is eventually recovered in the future, Hanafi scholars state that Zakat is only paid for the year in which the money is recovered, rather than for all previous years.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

March 7, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Stop provoking

Q: Islamic Society in T.O. has not condemned the bom*ing in iran. I am very disappointed. What is you position. We are Muslims. Stop with this Shia and Sunni divide. Shukran.
A: The in house Friday Khatib has consistently upheld a fundamental Islamic principle: the absolute sanctity of innocent life. He has maintained from day one of this brutality (and other ones) that he condemns any targeting of children, women, the elderly, and non-combatants—regardless of the conflict or the country involved. This is not a political stance; it is a religious obligation.
If you attended our services, you would have experienced this commitment firsthand. Your comments appear intended to provoke rather than to engage in sincere dialogue. We are a diverse community; in fact, brothers and sisters from Iran attend our prayers and have expressed deep appreciation for the Khatibs message of compassion and justice for all of humanity.
We pray for justice and peace for all oppressed people. Wishing you the best!

March 7, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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9 year old has a break for now!

Q: Does child need to pay zakah on investments made by his parents for him. He has about 345 000. He is 9. We see some say yes, some say no. Clarify.

A: If you follow the Hanafi school, no Zakah on this 9 year old till he is Baligh (Islamically matured).

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

P.s. If you follow another school of though, kindly go to person of that school of thought. If you want us to answer as per Maliki, please specify and we would assist.

March 1, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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Different levels of charity

Q: can a person have multiple niyah when giving sadaqah, fidya and sadaqatul fitr?

A: Here is the simple rule for combining intentions:

  • For voluntary and general sadaqah, you can have multiple intentions. Example: You give $10 and intend for it to be charity for yourself, your parents, a deceased relative, and for a specific need (like health) all at once. You get the reward for all of them.
  • For Sadaqatul Fitr & Fidya, you cannot combine these intentions into one payment. These are obligatory (wajib) acts. Each one is a separate “debt” you owe. Thus, one cannot pay $10 and say, “This counts as both my Fitrana and my Fidya.” One must pay for each one separately.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

February 23, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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Nose always at work!

Q: At Iftar event people wear perfume. I was told perfume breaks fast. Is this true?

A: The confusion regarding scents is due to the following: Form vs the non-form of the product. Inhaling smoke-based scents (like Bakhoor or Agarbatti) intentionally breaks the fast because smoke contains physical particles. However, spraying or smelling liquid perfume does not break the fast, as it has no physical body—especially if you avoid inhaling the wet mist or simply smell it on clothing.  

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

February 22, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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Prostration in Hearing the Ayah of Prostration

Q: Our imam recites surah sajdah on Friday’s. Sometimes we hear it as we enter the musjid but miss it. Same this can happen in taraweeh. We may be outside, hear them going doing in sajdah, what do we do? Do we just do a sajdah? What happens when we praying nalf and he read ayah of sajdah.
A: If you hear a verse of Sajdah while in prayer with the Imam, its fulfillment depends on your timing. If you join the Imam in the same Rakah the verse was recited and even though you did not do it with him, your Sajdah is considered fulfilled by the prayer of that Rakah itself, even if you missed the actual prostration within that Rakah. However, if you join the Imam after that Rakah has concluded, (in the next rakah) then you must perform the Sajdah Tilaawah independently after finishing your prayer.
By contrast, if you hear the verse from an outside source while you are performing a private prayer (like Nafl), you must not perform the Sajdah during your ‘private salah.’ Doing so would be an invalid addition to your prayer. Instead, simply complete your Salah first and then perform the sajdah separately afterward.
Allah Certainly Knows Best.

February 21, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
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Don’t doll me up quite yet!

Q: Is wearing makup during fasting prohibited or allowed? JazakAllah

A: Wearing makeup is permissible while fasting. Makeup is not absorbed into the pores to an extent that it would ever enter the digestive tract. Due to it does not “nourishing” the body or entering a natural opening like the mouth or nose, it has no effect on the validity of the fast.
The Spiritual Standard
We must remember that Ramadan is a month of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and internal reflection. While it is permissible to wear makeup to look presentable and neat, one should consider the spirit of moderation in its usage.
Allah Certainly Knows Best.

February 21, 2026
by Ml. Muhammed Shoayb
0 comments

Heart (intention) Over Mouth (Yummy)

Q: Does niyah for fasting have to done loud or verbally or in the heart is ok? I did it in the heart only and i read that this is not valid and have to redo.

A: The Heart as the Seat of Niyyah
The Niyah for fasting does not need to be verbal; the firm resolve within the heart is sufficient. Confusion often arises because some traditions encourage verbalizing to “anchor” the mind, but the core of this worship is internal.
The Hanafi Proof
Imam Abu Hanifa maintained that if the intention exists in the heart, it is fully valid. Amongst the arguments made by the Ahnaf is the is very act of waking for Suhoor, which is also a physical proof of intention. Afterall, you would not be eating at pre-dawn unless you intended to fast.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

P.s. This idea that things done in the heart as been sufficient does not apply to everything.!