Is there Zakat on savings for an operation?
The question, as received
I am saving money for a medical operation for myself over the last one year. The operation is planned by end of this year. Do I have to pay Zakat on this saved amount? Saving is eligible for Zakat deduction. Kindly advise. JazakAllah.
The answer
In principle, savings are subject to Zakāt.Hence, Zakāt is compulsory on one’s savings even if it be for surgery in the future.[1]
In short: Zakat is due on the savings.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
References
1(وَشَرْطُهُ) أَيْ شَرْطُ افْتِرَاضِ أَدَائِهَا (حَوَلَانُالْحَوْلِ) وَهُوَ فِي مِلْكِهِ (وَثَمَنِيَّةُ الْمَالِ كَالدَّرَاهِمِ وَالدَّنَانِيرِ) لِتَعَيُّنِهِمَا لِلتِّجَارَةِ بِأَصْلِ الْخِلْقَةِ فَتَلْزَمُ الزَّكَاةُ كَيْفَمَاأَمْسَكَهُمَا وَلَوْ لِلنَّفَقَةِ (الدر المختار ج 2 ص 267 أيج أيم سعيد)
إذَاأَمْسَكَهُ لِيُنْفِقَ مِنْهُ كُلَّ مَا يَحْتَاجُهُ فَحَالَالْحَوْلُ، وَقَدْ بَقِيَ مَعَهُ مِنْهُنِصَابٌ فَإِنَّهُ يُزَكِّي ذَلِكَ الْبَاقِيَ، وَإِنْ كَانَ قَصْدُهُ الْإِنْفَاقَ مِنْهُ أَيْضًا فِي الْمُسْتَقْبَلِ لِعَدَمِ اسْتِحْقَاقِ صَرْفِهِ إلَى حَوَائِجِهِ الْأَصْلِيَّةِ وَقْتَ حَوَلَانِالْحَوْلِ (رد المحتار ج 2 ص 262أيج أيم سعيد)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.