Scholarly Difference of Opinion
View 1 – No Zakat Obligatory
- Some scholars hold that:
- Zakat is not obligatory on the wealth of minors or the insane.
- Reason: They are not legally accountable (mukallaf) in Shari‘ah.
- Since they are not charged with religious obligations, zakat payment is not due.
View 2 – Zakat is Obligatory (Stronger Opinion)
- Other scholars — and this is the preferred (rajih) opinion — say:
- Zakat is obligatory on the wealth of minors and the insane.
- Because zakat is considered a right due on the wealth itself, regardless of the owner’s state.
Evidence for the Rajih View
From the Qur’an:
﴿خُذ مِن أَمْوَالِهِم صَدَقَةً﴾ (al-Tawbah 9:103)
“Take zakah from their wealth…”
- The verse makes wealth the basis of zakat obligation, not the mental state or age of the owner.
From the Sunnah:
When the Prophet ﷺ sent Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (RA) to Yemen, he said:
«أَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ»
(Bukhari 1395, Muslim 19)
- Again, the obligation is attached to the wealth itself, not to maturity or sanity.
Practical Ruling
- Yes — zakat is due on the wealth of minors and the insane.
- Their guardian (wali) is responsible for calculating and paying it on their behalf.
Conclusion:
Zakat is a duty on qualifying wealth itself, regardless of whether the owner is mature or mentally sound. Guardians must ensure its payment for minors or the insane under their care.
وَالله أعلم بالصواب
