Title: Can zakaat be given to a child whose parents are not muslims? Is there a difference between a small child and a child who has understanding?

Question: Can zakaat be given to a child whose parents are not muslims? Is there a difference between a small child and a child who has understanding?

Answer ID: 766Posted on: Sep 1, 2020

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

(Fatwa: 250/250=L)

If the boy is sound-minded and has accepted Islam then he will be treated as Muslim and will not be subject to his parents in religion:  اذا ارتد صبی عاقل صح کاسلامہ (الدر المختار مع الشامی: 6/405). Therefore, if anyone gives zakah to such a boy of non-Muslim parents it will be valid:

دفع الزکاة الی صبیان اقاربہ برسم عید جاز وفی الشامی قولہ الی صبیان اقاربہ ای العقلاء والا فلا یصح الا بالدفع الی ولی الصغیر (شامی :۳/۳۰۷/ط زکریا دیوبند(

But, if the boy is very young then he will be subject to his parents in religion. Therefore, if he is given zakah the zakah will not be valid since zakah can not be paid to a kafir.