Every Muslim who has more than a threshold amount of assets (wealth, gold/silver, other) in his/her possession for over a year (also known as nisaab)should pay zakat on it.

Zakat is a fundamental pillar of Islam and is NOT superseded by Jamaat chandas. Its purpose and eligibility criteria are different. Zakat is wajib, which means that it’s obligatory when conditions are met. (Fiqah Ahmadiyya, Vol 1, pp 358.) Zakat is due on money held unused for a year. Chandas are paid on earned income as it comes regardless of whether it is used or not. Some voluntary chandas are not based on income or savings.

Zakat is not due on assets that are outside of a person’s access, so Zakat is not due on these funds as long as the money is not within access. In case the funds become accessible, Zakat will be due on them. (Fiqah Ahmadiyya, Vol 1, pp 369.)

If during the course of a year an asset changes form and Zakat is payable on that asset, but the duration is less than one year for each form of the asset, then Zakat is not due on it.

This is best left to individual judgment. If a jewelry didn’t get used for the whole year, the answer is obvious. The Promised Messiah (as) states:

“Jewelry which is used – there is no Zakat on it. Jewelry which is stored and used very seldom – one should give Zakat upon it. Jewelry which is worn and occasionally given to poor women to use – some have given the judgment that there is no Zakat upon them. Jewelry which is worn and not given for other’s use – it is better to give Zakat upon it. Our household acts upon this and give Zakat for the jewelry every year. Regarding the jewelry which is saved as money, there is no disagreement concerning it” (Fiqah Ahmadiyya, Vol 1, pp 360).

Zakat is due if someone acquires a loan but does not use the money for business or personal use, but keeps the money in his possession for one year. If someone takes a loan to buy a house or run a business, or an item of use, then Zakat is not due on that money.

No. According to Hazrat Musleh Ma’ood (ra), Sadaqa is a voluntary form of charity that a Muslim participates in to seek Allah’s nearness. Zakat is mandatory on all Muslims on whom it is due. Think about it like this: Zakat resembles Fardh Salat that is mandatory; sadaqa resembles Nafl (voluntary) prayers which are offered to seek nearness to Allah. (Islah-e-Nafs. Anwar-ul-Aloom, Vol 5. pp 452).

No, Zakat is due only when the loan is returned (Fiqah Ahmadiyya Vol, pp 370).

Based on the differences of between the philosophy and applicability of Zakat vs. chanda (mentioned before) this practice is not correct. Zakat should be paid separately. (Fiqah Ahmadiyya, Vol 1, pp 370.)

Sadaqa may be given individually by the person to whomsoever he pleases, but it is preferred that Zakat should be collected by a central authority and distributed for prescribed expenses only. (Fiqah Ahmadiyya, Vol 1, pp 359.)

The main purpose of Zakat is to purify wealth that has accumulated and remained unused for one year by taking it from the unused pool and using it for the welfare of the poor. It discourages hoarding of wealth, and encourages investment of wealth into new ventures, and unlike interest in capitalist financial system, it does so without burdening those who do not have accumulated wealth. By limiting uses to uplifting of the poorer segments of the society, it also promotes upwards social mobility. That is why Zakat is judged on unused accumulated wealth.

The Jamaat Chanda system is primarily used for promoting and propagating Islam and Ahmadiyyat. That is why chandas are calculated on the members’ running income.

Sadaqa is individual voluntary charity that is meant as an act of devotion and specifically to seek Allah’s help against misfortune. Amount and timing of Sadaqa is purely on the individual’s discretion.

Zakat is due on assets held in possession for more than one lunaryear (the Islamic calendar year). One can choose any month for assessing personal Zakat payment. Ramadan is particularly suited for this as worship done in Ramadan is especially favored in the eyes of Allah.

According to the guidelines of the khuafa, it is preferred for Ahmadi Muslims to pay their Zakat to their Jamaat finance secretary who will then send it to the National/International headquarters. (Hazrat Musleh Ma’ood (ra). Islah-e-Nafs. Anwar-ul-Aloom, Vol 5. pp 453.)

 Zakat will be levied on the total amount. It is not sufficient to pay Zakat on that which exceeds the Nisab.