Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and a personal obligation. Just like Prayers (Solat), it must be fulfilled individually. Even though you are married, the husband and wife should calculate and pay their zakat separately based on their own assets. Each person should keep track of their own savings, investments, gold, business assets, and any other zakatable wealth. If an individual’s total wealth reaches the minimum threshold (nisab) and has been held for one lunar year, then zakat is due on that amount.
However, a husband may pay zakat on behalf of his wife, provided it is done with her knowledge and consent. In this situation, he acts as her representative (wakil) and the payment is considered valid in fulfilling her zakat obligation. Nevertheless, the responsibility to pay zakat remains on the wife herself, as it is her personal duty based on her own wealth. The husband is not automatically obligated to pay her zakat, but he may choose to do so voluntarily as an act of kindness and love.
If assets are jointly owned – such as a joint bank account – each spouse should determine their share of ownership, add that amount to their other zakatable assets (such as savings accounts, cash, and gold) and calculate their zakat accordingly. The ownership proportion is usually based on contribution. For example, if the husband contributes $600 monthly and the wife contributes $400, their shares would be 60% and 40%, respectively.
Where the exact proportions are unclear or cannot be reasonably determined, the preferred approach is to clarify ownership as best as possible. This is especially important not only for zakat, but also for matters such as faraid (inheritance). If the share proportion is not feasible, some contemporary scholars have assumed an equal 50/50 as a practical solution. You may refer to our previous FAQ answered by Ustaz Haron (https://islamicfinance.sg/docs/zakat/faq133/) and similar guidance shared by Mufti Faraz Adam (https://darulfiqh.com/how-would-a-couple-calculate-zakat-on-a-joint-account-2/) for further elaboration. On the other hand, some contemporary scholars view the joint account as a pooled fund and advise paying 2.5% on the full balance directly from the account (provided it fulfils all the requirements of zakat). This is to ensure the total zakat obligation is fair and properly discharged.
And Allah knows best
Reference:
- https://www.facebook.com/Zakat.SG/posts/faq-i-have-a-shared-savings-account-with-my-husband-and-it-has-met-the-nisab-and/10157975470099226/
- https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1841471856316565
- https://islamicfinance.sg/docs/zakat/faq133/
- https://darulfiqh.com/how-would-a-couple-calculate-zakat-on-a-joint-account-2/
