Is there Zakat on money given to the travel agent?
Question
A person has paid a few thousand pounds upfront for Hajj this year, and his Zakah anniversary comes in Ramaḍān. Is Zakat due on that amount?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
If the transaction (offer and acceptance) is completed before the Zakat anniversary, there is no Zakat due on the total cost, including the upfront money and the balance.
However, if the transaction is cancelled before the Zakat anniversary, Zakat will be due on the refunded or expected refund amount. If the transaction is cancelled after the Zakat anniversary, Zakat will not be due on the refunded amount.
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
26 Rajab 1440 / 1 April 2019