At What Age Does Zakat Become Due?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: My son was recently born, elhamdulillah. He has received gifts from others in the form of money. We are also planning to start a “savings account” for him that he can use when he comes of age.

(1) My question is when this savings account reaches nisab and a qamari year passes, is he required to pay zakat on it?

(2) Are there any other rulings that I should be aware of?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

(1) Zakat is not due until (a) the child reaches puberty, and (b) he owns nisab, upon which one lunar year passes.

Before adulthood, no zakat is due, even if nisab is owned for years.

(2) The other main ruling to be aware of is that the money gifted to the child, as well as the money you place into his savings account, is legally owned by the child. Parents cannot use that money for themselves or others. However, the father is allowed to use it for the child’s basic expenses, such as food, clothing, etc. until the child reaches puberty, after which only the child may use his money.

Of course, the father may choose to use his own money for the child’s expenses, so as to save the child’s money for the child.

[Mawsili, Ikhtiyar/Mukhtar]

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani