Who Must Pay Zakat?
Determine if you meet the Islamic criteria for Zakat obligation.
The 5 Criteria for Zakat Eligibility
Zakat is not obligatory upon every single person. In Islamic jurisprudence, a specific set of conditions must be met before an individual is required to pay Zakat. If you meet all five of these criteria, Zakat is a strict religious duty (Fard) upon you.
1. Being a Muslim
Zakat is a religious obligation and an act of worship specifically prescribed for Muslims. It is not collected from non-Muslims.
2. Being Sane (Aql)
The individual must be of sound mind. Most scholars agree that a person suffering from severe mental illness who cannot comprehend their finances is not obligated to pay.
3. Reaching Puberty (Baligh)
Zakat is generally obligatory on adults. Note: In the Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, Zakat is due on the wealth of minors (paid by their guardians), but in the Hanafi school, it is only obligatory once they reach puberty.
4. Full Ownership (Milkiyyah)
You must have full, absolute ownership of the wealth. You must have the ability to access and dispose of the asset. Stolen property, or money lost without hope of recovery, is not zakatable until regained.
5. Reaching Nisab & Hawl
Your net wealth must meet or exceed the Nisab threshold, and this wealth must be maintained in your possession for one complete Islamic lunar year (Hawl).
What if my child has savings?
There is a difference of opinion among Islamic scholars regarding the wealth of minors and orphans:
- Hanafi School: Zakat is not obligatory on the wealth of minors. It only becomes obligatory once they reach puberty.
- Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali Schools: Zakat is due on the wealth of minors and orphans if it meets the Nisab and Hawl. Their appointed guardian is responsible for calculating and paying the Zakat on their behalf to protect the wealth from being depleted without purification.