Q 4: A person has a source of income through which he receives money on a regular basis, such as the case of an employee or a tradesman. As he spends from this money, he cannot distinguish the exact amount which remained in his possession for a full lunar year. How can he calculate the Zakah due on such money?
A: He should keep a record of the exact dates when he received this money so that he would know the Hawl (one lunar year calculated from the time a property reaches the minimum amount upon which Zakah is due). He should also allocate an amount of money for his expenses separated from the money of Zakah unless he is willing to pay Zakah on the entire accumulated amounts on a yearly basis bearing in mind the first amount of money he received, this will be allowed. In such a case, there will be no need to record the dates of receipt. If he pays Zakah on the whole sum of money, he would be free of any liability. The money which exceeds the Zakah will be regarded as Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on which he will be rewarded greatly. May Allah make us among those who give charity!