Zakat on deposits
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
If the deposit is part of the total cost paid towards the purchase of an item or towards the rent of a property, then the depositor is not responsible for paying zakat from it. The one to whom it is deposited will be responsible to pay its zakat. The depositor no longer remains the owner of this wealth; rather, it has now come into the ownership of the one to whom it is deposited. (Aapke Masaail p.353 v.3) However, if the deposited money is given as a trust with someone else, then the person placing the goods in trust (i.e. owner) has to give zakaat on that wealth. If he gives the entrusted person the choice to dispense his zakaat from that wealth, then it is permissible. (Aapke Masaail p.352 v.3)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
