Question 629.
Under what conditions does "alms-giving" become a command for a person??

Answer 629.
‘Almsgiving is a command for a person who combines in himself the following conditions:
he is a Muslim;
he is a free person:
he is a major;
he is the owner of Nisab (the minimum required capital free from all encumbrances and needs);
one full year has passed since he came to exclusively possess the above said capital.
Zakat will become a command and an obligation if all the above conditions combine in a person. Naturally, therefore, an unbeliever, a slave, a lunatic or a minor are not duty bound to pay Zakat.
Similarly, if a person has less capital with him than the minimum prescribed for Nisab, or he is under dept or else one full year has not elpased since he came to possess so much wealth, Zakat is not a command for him.