A person (A) gives another person (B) worth cheque for a large amount, yet person B has not yet cashed the cheque. A few weeks pass like this and zakat becomes due on both of them the question is who should pay zakat for this amount. Person (A) in whose account the money is or Person B who can cash the cheque and claim the money whenever he wishes to.
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Answer
The condition for paying zakat is the passing of one year with the wealth remaining in one’s possession… (Raddul Muhtar, vol 2, P5)
In light of the above text, person (A) will be liable to pay zakat as the wealth remains in his possession.
Only Allah knows best
Sayeedur Rahman
Darul Ifta, Birmingham
