Zakaat - Rules and modern issues

Conditions about wealth

The wealth should be of a growing nature

Zakaat is Compulsory only on that wealth which is of a growing nature.  In the Shariah that the wealth should be of a growing nature may be meant in the literal sense like with the herds of animals or through business, etc, regardless of whether the wealth is in the possession of this individual or in the possession of his/her deputy or representative.

There is no Zakaat on the wealth which isn’t of a growing nature, like land, house, vehicle, etc. which is not for business, even though it might be more than the basic needs, Zakaat isn’t compulsory on it.

As given Al Bahr Ur Raaiq, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 362.

The wealth which isn’t of a growing nature can be illustrated with “Maal Dhimaar”.  ‘Allama Ibn Nujaim Misri (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has clarified that Maal Dhimaar includes such a loan which the borrower denies taking or wealth that has been embezzled by someone else and the owner doesn’t have any proof of that (bad) debt or of that wealth in both the cases.

As given in Al Bahr Ur Raaiq, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 362.