Re: Retirement account and buying car
^ the whole point is that there is no ongoing compulsion to save at the same rate into 401(K). When you have saved enough to take care of your retirement, just stop putting more in there! Secondly, the zakat of 2.5% is NOT on all your wealth but the portion that is 'excess' of your needs. The amount you NEED for retirement does not constitute excess. Not saving anything for retirement is plain irresponsible and will lead to untol miseries to yourself as well as those who will then have to support you.
says who? The "excess" amount is the money which is not in use when running your everyday life and stays put for one year.