Salaam alaykum
I am currently renting where I live. Landlord insisted in twelve months rental in advance which I agreed to and paid over. Zakaat is now due from me. Does this amount of prepaid rental (around nine months left) be added to my list of assets?
Answer:
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
That rent which has been paid, whether in advance or not, will not be added to one’s Zakaatable assets since ownership of such wealth has been transferred.
In the event that any amount has been refunded therefrom, that amount will be added to one’s Zakaatable assets.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)