Fatwa: # 16022
Category: Ramadhan
Country: South Africa
Date: 13th December 2007

Title

I purchased a vehicle on a residual or lease option. I will return the car at the end of the lease term (4 more years). My current lease

Question

I purchased a vehicle on a residual or lease option. I will return the car at the end of the lease term (4 more years). My current lease installment is R2800. For zakaat purposes should I deduct the entire lease liability or only the installments due within 12 months?

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

You have mentioned in the query that you will have to return the car to the bank at the end of the lease period. Therefore, it will be as if though the bank is hiring the car to you. In this case, the amount due on you will not be regarded as a liability, but a mere rent that you are paying every month (or however the scheme demands). Now, when the amount will not be regarded as a liability, it will not be permissible to deduct any amount when calculating the zakaat.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Ml. Abu Yahya
Student Darul Iftaa

Concurred by:

Ml. Ehzaz Ajmeri,
Student Darul Iftaa

Darul Iftaa

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