Frequently Asked Questions

Chanda Shart-e-Awwal is a one-time subscription paid by the applicant under the First Condition of Wasiyyat, mandated by the Promised Messiah (as) in the booklet The Will.

The guiding principle is that the prospective Musi should pay this Chanda according to their own capacity, so that the requirements of running and maintaining the cemetery can be met. The prospective Musi should therefore pay this Chanda in keeping with their income, their assets, and the needs of the Maqbarah Musian.

According to Rule 28 of the Wasiyyat Rules: "It shall be obligatory for a prospective Musi to pay, in addition to the Wasiyyat amount, a contribution according to his financial status, for the maintenance of Bahishti Maqbarah, its garden, upkeep of the path and other incidental expenses."

Chanda Ai'lan-e-Wasiyyat is a one-time donation made by the applicant toward the publication of the announcement of their Wasiyyat in the Jama'at's publications. There is no prescribed amount; the applicant may pay any amount according to their circumstances.

According to Rule 29 of the Wasiyyat Rules: "In addition to paying Chanda Shart Awwal (Rule 28), a prospective Musi shall at the time of making his Wasiyyat, pay the expenses relating to the publication of notice of his Wasiyyat."

An applicant without a steady income may record an estimated monthly income, or their average income over the past six months or year.

The minimum rate of Chanda Wasiyyat is 1/10 and the maximum is 1/3. A Musi may choose different rates for Hissa Jaidad and Hissa Amad. On the Wasiyyat application, the rate for Hissa Jaidad is specified on the first page under the property declaration section, and the rate for Hissa Amad is specified on the second page under the income declaration section.

A Musi may change their Wasiyyat rate at any time during their life — for Hissa Jaidad only, for Hissa Amad only, or for both.

The applicant must declare the following:

• Real estate property (even if it carries a mortgage loan)
• Land
• Jewelry
• Stocks, bonds, and ETFs
• 401(k) and IRA accounts
• Business investments
• Cash savings
• Savings account balances
• Haq Mahr (dowry)
• Other assets

Yes. Any property acquired on loan or mortgage is considered the property of the Musi and must be declared in the Wasiyyat form, along with its approximate market value and address. If the Musi acquires similar property in the future, they are bound to inform Markaz of that as well.

Yes. The Wasiyyat made by a married woman must be signed by her husband if he is alive. Haq Mahr is considered part of her assets and should be specified in her Wasiyyat, along with a statement of whether it has been received or is still due. The husband's monthly income — and, if he is a Musi, his Wasiyyat number — must also be provided.

An Ahmadi who has attained the age of majority (generally 15 years) is competent to make Wasiyyat. However, where the legal age of maturity differs from the age of maturity prescribed by Shari'ah, the Wasiyyat must be renewed once the applicant attains maturity under the law of the land. (Wasiyyat Rule 20)

If the applicant is a student, they will pay Hissa Amad on whatever pocket money they receive each month. Stipends are exempt from Chanda.

If the applicant is not a student and has no independent source of income (for example, a non-earning homemaker), they should fix a sum based on their standard of living to be treated as their pocket money, and pay Chanda Hissa Amad accordingly.

The minimum standard of income (also known as "pocket money" for non-earning members, including homemakers) fixed by Markaz for the USA Jama'at is $250 per month. Based on this income, the payable Chanda Hissa Amad at the Wasiyyat rate of 1/10 is $25 per month. This rule does not apply to students.

Yes. Students may join Nizam-e-Wasiyyat from the minimum age of 15. They pay Hissa Amad on whatever pocket money they receive. The minimum income of $250 fixed by Markaz for non-earning Musis does not apply to students, and stipends received by students are also exempt from Chanda Wasiyyat.

If a person once asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih for remission in Chanda Am, and later resumed paying Chanda Am regularly, they may make Wasiyyat. However, the following rules apply:

• A person who obtained permission to pay Chanda Am at a reduced rate must pay Chanda at the full rate for at least one year before applying for Wasiyyat.
• A person who obtained full exemption from Chanda Am in previous years must pay Chanda at the full rate for at least two years before applying for Wasiyyat.

If a prospective Musi fulfills all the conditions, including those relating to income and property, they cannot be stopped from making Wasiyyat. Debt is no hindrance to Wasiyyat, because debt is not counted while a person is alive.

It is important, however, to consider the circumstances of the person in debt. If they have acquired property through a loan and that property produces income, or if they have started a business with a loan and are earning a profit from it, they may make Wasiyyat. But if a member has no source of income and no property, and is permanently dependent on loans for subsistence, then making Wasiyyat is not obligatory for them.

Every Musi is fully bound by the Wasiyyat made under Nizam-e-Jama'at, and that Wasiyyat is effective according to its text. The reason a Wasiyyat under Nizam-e-Jama'at is required is that it is to be the Musi's final will; after making it, the Musi cannot make any other will that would in any way affect it.

Any will made locally must therefore not conflict with the Wasiyyat made under Nizam-e-Jama'at. In the local will, the portion assigned to Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya should be shown as a debt.

The minimum standard of sacrifice for Chanda Wasiyyat in the USA was fixed at a monthly income (pocket money) of $250 by Majlis Karpardaz in March 2008 for non-earning Musis.

Yes. In this case, the Musi will pay Hissa Amad on the pension received in their country of origin, and will also pay Hissa Amad on the minimum income (pocket money) of $250 per month fixed for non-earning Musis in the USA by Majlis Karpardaz, Rabwah.

A Musi is required to:

• Bequeath 1/10 to 1/3 of their property upon their death.
• Pay Chanda Hissa Amad at the rate of 1/10 to 1/3 on income from all sources during their lifetime, except income arising from property.
• Pay Chanda Hissa Amad at the rate of Chanda Am (i.e., 1/16) on income arising from any property.

The established practice for a Musi who has no independent source of income is that their spouse should allocate an appropriate amount as pocket money, which is regarded as the Musi's income for the purpose of Wasiyyat. To maintain the continuity of their financial sacrifice, the Musi should pay Chanda Hissa Amad on this pocket money.

For the USA Jama'at, Majlis Karpardaz has established a minimum standard income of $250 per month. Based on this amount, the minimum payable Chanda Hissa Amad is $25 per month at the standard Wasiyyat rate of 1/10.

This rule does not apply to students.

No. A non-earning homemaker is required to pay Hissa Amad at the minimum prescribed rate based on the pocket money of $250 per month.

A married student is generally expected to be pursuing higher education and should pay Hissa Amad on any monthly income received from the university — such as a research stipend, fellowship, or medical residency salary.

The student exemption does not extend to the spouse: a non-earning homemaker remains required to pay Hissa Amad at the minimum prescribed rate.

Student scholarships and stipends are not subject to Chanda at the prescribed rates. However, students are expected to have a sum fixed in consultation with the Jama'at and to pay their Chanda accordingly.

The income upon which Chanda is payable refers to all kinds of income from all sources. Only the following payments may be deducted from actual income:

• Allowances given to employees whose expenditure is not in the hands of the employee.
• Mandatory federal and state taxes levied by the government.
• Health insurance premiums.
• Allowances given to employees for specific expenditures, e.g., uniform allowance, education allowance, or children's allowance.
• Allowances paid for the performance of official duties, e.g., traveling allowance (TA) or per diem (DA).

No. Amounts paid for insurance such as house or car insurance, even where mandatory, may not be deducted from total income with regard to Chanda. It is not permissible to deduct any installment, mortgage payment, interest, or insurance from one's real income with regard to Chanda.

Yes. Amounts paid for health insurance may be deducted from income with regard to Chanda.

Yes, Hissa Amad is payable on pension income. Although a portion of the pension may represent contributions previously made by the individual after paying Hissa Amad, those contributions generally constitute only a small fraction of the total pension received.

The treatment of a 401(k) retirement plan is different. Employee contributions to a 401(k) are deducted directly from salary before it is received. Therefore, when income is drawn from 401(k) savings upon retirement, Hissa Amad is payable on the full amount drawn each month.

Yes. Where any income accrues from a Musi's property, Hissa Amad is payable on that income at the rate of Chanda Am, i.e., 1/16.

Yes. When a person does not have the means to buy a property outright, they acquire a loan to buy it. If they wish to pay Hissa Jaidad on that property during their lifetime, they bear the responsibility for the loan and must pay Hissa Jaidad according to the value of the property at the time of assessment. A loan acquired during one's lifetime is not counted.

The rate of Hissa Jaidad is the rate the Musi chose for themselves, i.e., between 1/10 and 1/3.

Hissa Jaidad is payable at the current market value when the formal assessment is made, except where the Musi already paid Hissa Jaidad on that very property at the time of purchase.

If a Musi pays Hissa Amad on their income and invests the remaining savings in stocks, ETFs, a business, or any other investment, the invested amount becomes part of their property and is therefore subject to Hissa Jaidad.

A Musi may fulfill the Hissa Jaidad obligation in any of the following ways:

• At the time the initial investment is made
• Based on the market value of the investment at a later date
• When the investment is sold

If Hissa Jaidad has been paid on the investment and Hissa Amad has been paid on the income or profits it generated, the net sale proceeds may be reinvested without incurring Hissa Jaidad again on that same amount.

Yes. When a second property is acquired before the primary residence is sold, the Musi owns both properties simultaneously. The newly acquired property constitutes an additional asset, and Hissa Jaidad becomes payable on it.

This is distinct from selling one property and buying a replacement with the proceeds — in that case, only the incremental increase requires Hissa Jaidad.

Yes. A retirement savings account is considered part of a Musi's Jaidad.

Upon retirement, when the Musi begins taking periodic withdrawals, those are considered income and Hissa Amad is payable on the net income received after applicable taxes.

If any balance remains in the retirement account at the time of demise, the net amount received by the estate after taxes is considered Tarka, on which Hissa Jaidad is obligatory.

If the deceased Musi paid the insurance premiums after already paying Hissa Amad on their income, then the amount received by beneficiaries is not counted as part of the deceased Musi's estate.

If there is no statement from the Musi on this matter, the decision is made on the basis of a statement from the heirs and a report from the local Jama'at.

Any additional amount received from the insurance company as profit is not counted as part of the deceased Musi's estate.

However, when the insurance amount is distributed among the heirs, it is counted as their property, and if those heirs are Musis, Hissa Jaidad is obligatory for them on it.

Yes, it should be paid. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) answered: "The Wasiyyat is, in essence, to be paid after death from whatever one leaves behind. When a person saves money from his income and builds property with it — if, instead of the property, he had invested it in some other work, then whatever income came from it, he would pay Hissa Wasiyyat from that. So when he spends money on property, why should he not pay the portion from it, since it is property that has been created?"

The same Hissa Jaidad rules apply to any home or land owned by a Musi in addition to their primary residence. If the assessment is conducted during the Musi's lifetime, the property will be assessed based on its fair market value. Any outstanding mortgage loan will not be deducted from the assessed value.

The Musi will have up to two years to pay the approved Hissa Jaidad assessment. Once paid in full, no additional Hissa Jaidad will be due on future appreciation.

Any rental income generated from these properties is subject to Hissa Amad at the rate of Chanda Aam (1/16).

A car, like other dispensable items, is not included in anyone's property for the purpose of Chanda Wasiyyat, except where: one has no other property as the basis for their Wasiyyat; one's property consists mainly of such items; or one has an expensive collection of such items.

No. Wasiyyat is not payable on items of ordinary household use.

If due to legal requirements a Musi has included their spouse as a joint owner on the property deed, but that individual has made no financial contribution toward the purchase, the property is regarded as belonging solely to the Musi who financed it. That Musi is deemed the 100% owner.

If the spouse has made a financial contribution, ownership is determined in proportion to each party's respective financial contribution.

If one joint owner dies and their share is inherited by the surviving spouse (who is a Musi), the surviving spouse is required to pay Hissa Jaidad on the inherited share.

Yes. Upon the Musi's demise, the shares inherited by the surviving spouse and children become their respective properties. Hissa Jaidad accordingly becomes payable on the share inherited by each Musi at their prescribed Wasiyyat rate.

For example, if the surviving spouse inherits 1/8 of the house, they will be required to pay Hissa Jaidad on 1/8 of the assessed market value at their applicable Wasiyyat rate.

Yes. Regulation 11 states: "A property which has been acquired by a Musi but gifted or put in someone else's name shall also be considered part of the Musi's estate."

The Musi is therefore obligated to pay Hissa Jaidad on such property.

There are only two ways:

• During lifetime: The property is assessed at current market value. The outstanding mortgage is NOT deducted. Once paid in full, no additional Hissa Jaidad is due on future appreciation.
• After demise: The remaining mortgage balance is first deducted from the property's value, and Hissa Jaidad is calculated on the remaining equity at the time of death.

If the new property is purchased for the same or less value, no additional Hissa Jaidad is due (it's treated as a replacement).

If the new property costs more, only the additional funds contributed require Hissa Jaidad — the sale proceeds from the original property are credited.

The office must still be informed of the replacement.

Yes. The assessment can be initiated via the portal at ahmadiyya.us/members/wasiyyat-portal/. The rate is the one fixed by the Musi and approved by Majlis Karpardaz.

Time limit: two years from the date of assessment for all property types, except five years if the property is the Musi's primary residence.

A house-flipping business is treated as an investment. The investment is subject to Hissa Jaidad (payable at purchase or at sale). Any profit is treated as income subject to Hissa Amad.

If Hissa Jaidad is paid at sale, it covers the full net proceeds. The amount already subject to Hissa Jaidad is credited against future reinvestments.

Yes. The principal amount invested in a business is considered a Musi's property, and full details must be given in the Wasiyyat form. Hissa Jaidad is due on the capital investment.

Businesspersons pay Chanda on their total net income, after deducting from gross income those expenses required to generate the income. It is not correct to pay Chanda Hissa Amad only on the amount drawn from the business for monthly expenses.

A Musi pays Chanda Wasiyyat at the rate pledged in their will, not at the rate of Chanda Am. During a Musi's life, Wasiyyat is paid only on the income derived from the business. Payment on net assets is made after death, or during the Musi's life if they wish. There is no Chanda on working capital.

In any kind of business, only the portion that belongs to the Musi is considered their property. The total value of all assets minus amounts owed to creditors equals the Musi's portion on which Hissa Jaidad is paid.

Hissa Jaidad on businesses is required to be paid after the Musi's death. If the Musi wishes to pay during their lifetime, a Tashkhees (assessment) is made of the total value of the business, all amounts owed are subtracted, and Hissa Jaidad is payable on the remainder.

Yes, but if the business grows in value after the assessment and payment, the Musi remains responsible for paying Hissa Jaidad on the increase in net worth.

An increase may result from reinvestment of profit (on which Hissa Amad was already paid) or additional capital. The same principle applies as with a house extension built from savings — the newly created asset gives rise to a fresh Hissa Jaidad obligation.

All movable and immovable property of a Musi at the time of their death is considered their Tarka. A Musi's house, land, jewelry, cash, bonds, shares, retirement savings, and the like are all part of their Tarka. In short, all items that are divided among heirs are considered Tarka. Essential items of everyday use are treated as exceptions.

No. If a Musi paid Hissa Jaidad during their lifetime, the heirs are not required to pay again on behalf of the deceased.

However, once the property is inherited, it becomes the property of the respective heirs. If an heir is a Musi, they are required to pay Hissa Jaidad on their inherited share at their own Wasiyyat rate.

Payment of Hissa Jaidad becomes incumbent immediately after the death of a Musi. If the heirs are unable to pay immediately, Majlis Karpardaz may grant exceptional permission for burial provided they produce two reliable guarantors. Such a guarantee is valid for no more than one year, and full payment must be made within that time.

No. The Musi makes the affirmation in the Wasiyyat form that burial expenses "will not affect Hissa Jaidad which, according to this Wasiyyat, I submit to Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya."

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) confirmed: "Musis should continue to make the same affirmation which was made by Musis at the time of the Promised Messiah (as). There is no need whatsoever to change it."

Yes, the same rules and regulations apply. A Musi's Hissa Amad must be paid before burial, though exceptions can be made for Hissa Jaidad with two guarantors.

Cemeteries for Musis in other countries cannot be called Bahishti Maqbarah; they are called Maqbarah Musian.

The National Amir is President of the committee, and the National Secretary Wasaya is its Secretary.

According to Rule 69 of the Wasiyyat Rules: "It shall be obligatory for every Musi to submit to the Wasiyyat office, at the end of every year, a declaration, as set out in Schedule C, in respect of his payments towards Hissa Amad."

Failure to submit may lead to disciplinary measures including cancellation of Wasiyyat.

No. The Budget is submitted at the beginning of the fiscal year and reflects your estimated or projected income. The Schedule C declaration is submitted after the fiscal year ends and reports your actual net income earned during that fiscal year.

Not necessarily. The Due Chanda shown in Schedule C is the amount that should have been paid based on your actual net income — not the Budget estimate.

• If actual income equals projected income, Due Chanda matches the Budget.
• If actual income is higher or lower, Due Chanda should reflect the actual income.

Yes. If a Musi's due Chanda exceeds the payment made, arrears will be generated. However, if the Musi has an excess balance carried forward from previous years, Markaz will automatically adjust the arrears against that balance. No action is required from the Musi.

Yes. The Musi must write to the National Wasaya department stating the transfer request. The department in collaboration with National Finance will transfer the amount and notify Markaz.

The budget is only a projected estimate and has no bearing on Schedule C. If a member paid according to their actual (decreased) income, then Due Chanda and Total Payment will be the same ($9,000). The Musi should mark payment as correct and notify their finance secretary to adjust the budget.

Not paying any Hissa Amad goes against the spirit of Wasiyyat. Since every student spends on basic necessities each month, Chanda Wasiyyat must be paid accordingly.

Students are required to submit Schedule C and must declare both the due Chanda (non-zero) and the amount paid in that year.

To clear Hissa Amad arrears:

• Pay the arrears through the Chanda Portal selecting the correct fiscal year (mandatory).
• Email receipt to national.wasiyyat@ahmadiyya.us (optional but recommended).
• Declare the payment in your Schedule C for the fiscal year in which the arrears payment was made (mandatory).

Important: Simply paying arrears is not sufficient. Markaz can issue clearance only after the payment is properly declared in the applicable Schedule C.

This happens because the overpayment was not properly declared in past Schedule C submissions. Contact the Wasaya Department at schedulec@ahmadiyya.us to confirm which years need resubmission, then resubmit via the portal.

Example: Arrears Paid: $700. Due Chanda for that year: $300. Finance statement shows $1,000 paid total.

On Schedule C: Declare Due Chanda: $300. Declare Total Paid: $1,000. State: "The overpayment of $700 was for past arrears."

Members sometimes mistakenly count arrears payments toward due Chanda for that year. The due Chanda was actually lower; the extra was for past arrears.