Zakah in the Wealth of a Minor

The questioner : He asks: Is zakah obligatory on the wealth of a minor and an adult who has reached the age of accountability, or only on the wealth of one who has reached the age of accountability?

The Shaykh : Zakah is obligatory in the wealth of a minor, in the wealth of a person of unsound mind, in the wealth of a prodigal, and in the wealth of an adult who is sane and prudent. This is because zakah is obligatory in the wealth itself, so reaching the age of accountability is not a condition for it. The evidence that it is obligatory in the wealth is the saying of Allah the Exalted: , and the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Mu'adh ibn Jabal when he sent him to Yemen: "Inform them that Allah has made obligatory upon them a charity in their wealth." So the place where the obligation of zakah lies is not the liability of the person who has reached the age of accountability, but the wealth. For this reason, the Hanbali jurists said: "Zakah is obligatory in the substance of the wealth, and it has a connection to the liability, but if the wealth is..."

Another questioner : ...on the path.

The Shaykh : ...of a minor or a person of unsound mind, who is the one who pays it out?

Another questioner : Older.

The Shaykh : Their guardian pays it out, and he should fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic.

Another questioner : Is it possible?

The Shaykh : ...in paying it out. Yes.