Do My Parents Owe Zakat on the Money I Am Yet to Give Them?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I regularly give money to my parents. If I give it to them on a particular date every month and their zakat year is complete before that date in a particular month do they have to include what I will give them in their zakatable assets before I give it?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Your parents do not have to include the money you give them in their zakatable assets if you have not given them when their zakat is due. Technically, that money is a gift, and before you give it to them they don’t have to pay zakat on it.

(Maydani; al Lubab Fi Sharh al Kitab)

Kindness to Parents

You giving this regular charity to your parents in an excellent and commendable act. May Allah reward you abundantly for it. It’s interesting that Allah frequently mentions not worshipping other besides Him – which is His right – and then He follows it with showing excellent treatment to one’s parents. (Quran, 4:36)

May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.