He has some money for university expenses and one full hijri year has passed – does he have to pay zakaah on it?
Question I am a Master’s student and I am paying for my studies from my own pocket. My father gave me some money to use for my studies, and I am living on it, and my studies will take approximately two years. My question is about the money that my father gave me: when one…
Question
Praise be to Allah.
If the money that you have left reaches the nisaab, and one
year has passed, then it is subject to zakaah, even if it is being kept for
your living expenses or study fees, because of the general meaning of the
evidence that indicates that zakaah becomes obligatory when the conditions
for it are met.
The nisaab is the equivalent of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams
of silver, and the rate that must be paid is 2.5%, which is a small amount,
praise be to Allaah, in addition to the blessing and growth that it brings
to the one who pays zakaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify
them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allaah for them. Verily, your
invocations are a source of security for them; and Allaah is All-Hearer,
All-Knower”
[al-Tawbah 9:103]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.” Narrated by Muslim (2588).
And Allaah knows
best.
