Zakaat on a joint account

Q: My wife is a housewife and does not earn an income. I provide her with an allowance as well as contribute into a savings/investment account for her.

Questions:

1. Is she liable for zakaat on the money in her investment account (which I contribute towards) or am I?

2. If we have a joint savings account (in both our names), who is responsible for the zakaat in this account?

3. Since we are married in-community-of-property, would she be responsible to pay zakaat on any investments that are in my name?

A:

1. She is liable.

2. The liability of paying is in proportion to your shares of ownership.

3. If the investment was purchased entirely for yourself then that property belongs to you and the zakaat is on you.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)