Q:
1. I want to ask about the obligatory charity (zakat). There are some things which I want to know about rules of zakat. First of all I want to know rules about paying zakat on inherited wealth. My father died and the money in his account was given to me after 7 months. My father died in 8th month of Islamic calender. He used to give zakat in Ramadan. Maybe the time was complete for giving zakat ( i do not know for sure) but he died before that. So the question is that was I supposed to pay on his behalf or not. If not then when should i pay zakat. Should I calculate day from that one on which he died or the one which i received money from bank 7 months later.
2. Also the money in bank is of two kinds. One is that which me and my father saved. The other is not ours. It is security deposit of the shop keeper and the person who lives at rent in our house. Some of the shop keepers have been here for 20 or 25 years. So am I supposed to pay zakat including the deposit or just the one we saved.
A:
1. You will not have to pay zakaat on his behalf. However, if you wish to give nafl sadaqah on his behalf, you may do so.
2. If you possess the zakaat nisaab or more then you will have to pay zakaat in proportion to your share of the inheritance after receiving it. This is in the case where you received the wealth before your zakaat date. If you received your share of the inheritance after the zakaat date then you will not have to pay zakaat on this wealth until the following year zakaat date. You will not have to pay zakaat on the deposits of other people that were kept in the bank by your father.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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