How is zakat paid on private company shares that are not for sale? What is the ruling on delaying and accumulating its zakat? Is it permissible to pay zakat from the value of the shares after selling them? And is previously paid zakat deducted?

Firstly: Stagnant (non-performing) shares that cannot be sold or disposed of are subject to zakat only once, when they are sold. As for non-stagnant shares that can be disposed of, they are subject to zakat every year.

Secondly: If shares are subject to zakat every year and their owner does not have cash, he must record the due amount and pay it when he acquires the money or sells the shares.

Thirdly: If the shares are not stagnant, their zakat is due every year, and the zakat should be paid from available cash without waiting for the shares to be sold.

Fourthly: If shares were stagnant and zakat was paid on them every year, the amount exceeding the zakat for one year is considered a donation and cannot be counted as zakat for a subsequent year, because he did not intend to pay the zakat in advance.