What is due from a man in zakat on the principal of shares he bought in dollars more than thirty years ago, for which he has never paid zakat before, knowing that he used to pay zakat on the profits derived from them each year by adding them to his wealth?

If the contribution to the company is intended to benefit from the annual yield and not for trading in shares, then there is no zakat on the principal of the shares. Zakat is only obligatory on the profit obtained.

However, if the shares are intended for trading (buying and selling), then zakat is obligatory on both the principal of the shares and their profit.

In the event that zakat on the principal of the shares is due for previous years, the shareholder must know the number of shares and their value for each year and pay zakat for each year separately. If he is unable to determine it precisely, he must strive and investigate to the best of his judgment to clear his liability, as zakat does not lapse with the passage of time.

Whoever was obligated to pay zakat and delayed it without a legitimate excuse has committed a sin, and it is obligatory for him to pay it for all the delayed years. He should act according to his best judgment in estimating the wealth and the number of years if he is uncertain, based on the Almighty's saying: "So fear Allah as much as you are able."