Do I have to pay zakat if I am saving up to marry?

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

Whenever one’s [zakatable] wealth reaches the zakatable amount (nisab), and a year passes, then it becomes obligatory to pay zakat on it, regardless of whether one is saving it for marriage or other needs.

The questioner should realize that the amount paid in zakat is very small in comparison to one’s entire wealth, and one should thus avoid being miserly with regards to those in needy. Also, Allah places baraka (blessings; the secret of increase) in one’s wealth through one’s payment of zakat.

It has been reported from the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), in an authentic hadith, that he said,

“Wealth is not reduced by charity.”

And Allah alone gives success.

Amjad Rasheed

(Translated by Faraz Rabbani)

السؤال : أدخر مالاً لأجل الزواج فهل تجب عليَّ زكاته ؟ الجواب : متى بلغ المال نصاباً وحال عليه الحول وجبت زكاته ولو كان مدخراً للزواج أو غيره من الحاجات ، وليعلم السائل أن قدر الزكاة قليلٌ بالنسبة لمجموع المال المزكى فلا يبخل به على مستحقيه فضلاً عن أن الله يبارك له فيه وفي الحديث الصحيح :” ما نقص مال من صدقة “.