Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Every year we are taking Zaka`h amount and distributing to all needy persons, and from large amount some amount is distributed and the remaining is deposited in the bank for their children future. Is this is permmisble depositing amount for there children future now and coming years, and in the coming years also we have to pay the zakath to the deposited amount and who have to take the zakath, please answer soon. 

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Answer:

Deposit zakah in future account

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 60:

60 Alms are for the poor, and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds), for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the Truth), for those in bondage and in debt, in the Cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

Allah Subhanah has prescribed that ‘zakah’ should be paid to any of the above eight listed categories:

1. To the poor
2. To the needy
3. To those who are employed to administer the zakah funds
4. To those whose hearts have recently been reconciled to the Truth of Islam (new-muslims)
5. For those in bondage
6. For those in debt
7. In the Cause of Allah
8. To the way-farer or traveler

In light of the above quoted guidance of the Glorious Quran, the ‘needy’ amongst the believers are indeed eligible to receive the ‘zakah’ from their believing brethren…..but to deposit one’s ‘zakah’ dues in an account for the children of the needy to use in the future would not be appropriate.

What one may do, if one so wills, is distribute one’s ‘zakah’ towards the needy amongst the believers, and if the believer who receives the ‘zakah’ wishes to save some funds for their children’s future, they may do so. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan