Does a Hawl have to Pass on All the Profit of a Productive Asset Before It Becomes Zakatable?
No, a hawl, or Zakât-year, only has to pass on the nisâb of productive assets in BOTH opinions. The practical difference between the two opinions (the latter analogized with modification to agricultural land, the former to income) is only the Zakât rate. But both opinions say that the hawl need NOT elapse over all the wealth before it is zakatable. This is, of course, true for crops, which are due upon harvest, for obvious reasons. But it also holds for other growth-asset models under these opinions. Their Zakât comes due on the Zakât maturity date. Like the multi-seasonal harvest of a crop, or mined minerals, the collection of productive assets is multiple (throughout the Zakât-year). Therefore, the Zakât must be paid on the accumulated amount on the Zakât due date. The hawl for all of these must elapse on the nisâb only. This can be a point of confusion, so it should be emphasized. With (productive) fixed and exploited assets—just like with personal wealth—Zakât is paid on all net in
