Paying Zakaat with fixed deposit money

Can we pay Zakaat with the money we get from fixed deposit?



On this matter, one section of scholars holds the opinion that India is Dar Ul Aman i.e. a place of peace.  Thus, the dealings with increase/decrease in money come under usury (Sud in Urdu) and the amount got through fixed deposit is Haram (forbidden).  

Another section of scholars holds the opinion that India is a Non-Islamic country and the said dealings don’t come under usury.  

When there is a difference of opinion among the scholars about this, then there is a doubt in the money got through fixed deposit.  Zakaat should be given from the money in which there is No. doubt of any kind.  Thus, Zakaat should not be given from the money got from fixed deposit.  

However, in an Islamic country, as the dealings with increase/decrease of amount in them fall under usury, fixed deposit is not allowed.  The gain achieved through fixed deposit is usury, which is unequivocally forbidden in the Shariah.  The person who gives/takes this money is a sinner in the light of the Shariah and Zakaat cannot be given with this money.  

And Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) knows best.  

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,
[Associate Professor of Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder/Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]