Zakah on the money of orphans and the insane

Q: Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on the wealth of orphans and those who are insane?

A: Zakah is due on the wealth of orphans and those who are insane. This is the view of `Aly, Ibn ‘Umar, Jabir ibn `Abdullah, `Aishah and Al-Hasan ibn `Aly as related by Ibn Al-Mundhir. The guardian should pay it on their behalf. In support of this obligatory Zakah, the general the proofs of the Qur'an and Sunnah on the obligation of Zakah are cited. Moreover, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent Mu`adh to Yemen and told him what to say to them, he said: Tell them that they must give Zakah, to be taken from their rich and given to their poor. (Part No. 9; Page No. 411)  This is related by the Six Hadith Compilers (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah). The word “rich” includes the minor and the insane, as does the word “poor”. Al-Shafi`y narrated in his Musnad on the authority of Yusuf ibn Malik that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Trade with the wealth of orphans lest the Zakah should overcome or consume it. This is a Hadith Mursal (a Hadith with no Companion of the Prophet in the chain of narration). Malik narrated in al-Muwatta’ that he heard that `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) traded with the wealth of orphans and did not let it be consumed by Zakah. `Umar said that to the people and enjoined it upon them. This implies that it was a rule that was followed and accepted as the correct ruling. Malik also narrated in al-Muwatta' from `Abdul-Rahman ibn Al-Qasim that his father said: `Aishah used to take care of me and my brother. We were orphans under her care and she used to pay the Zakah due on our wealth. May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon His Servant and our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.