Q: Is it permissible to pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) due on commercial commodities from the same commercial commodity? For example, the owner of a house ware store may pay the Zakah out of the house ware instead of estimating their value and paying the Zakah in cash. What is the due Zakah on commercial commodities and how should this be calculated? May Allah grant us all success to do what pleases Him. As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you.)

A: The principle with regard to commercial commodities prepared for if they reach the Nisab (the minimum amount on which Zakah is due) independently or after adding other money owned by the same owner is that they must be evaluated after the passage of a Hawl (one lunar year calculated from the time a property reaches the minimum amount upon which Zakah is due) and then Zakah of 2.5% of their value at the time of estimation should be paid in cash. However, if it not possible to pay the value in cash or if it is necessary to pay the Zakah of the commercial commodity such as for the benefit of the poor and the needy, it is permissible to pay it from the commercial commodity but the rich should be careful to pay the due amount of Zakah from these commercial commodities. (Part No. 8; Page No. 334) There is nothing wrong with this and in support of this ruling, Al-Bukhari related in his Sahih (Authentic Hadith Book) (chapter: The payment of commodities as Zakah, vol 2.,p.122) from Tawus in the form of Hadith Mawquf (words or deeds narrated from a Companion of the Prophet that are not attributed to the Prophet) that Mu`adh (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the people of Yemen: "Bring me small or second-hand garments for Zakah instead of barley and millet. It will be easier for you and better for the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) in Madinah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said to women: Give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) even if it is out of your jewelry. He did not exclude the obligatory Zakah from voluntary charity in this general command. Then, women began to give their earrings and necklaces. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not confine this permissibility to goods made of only gold and silver. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.