What are the rulings of zakat on things owned by a currently unemployed student who has saved a small amount of money, and is zakat obligatory on it? And what should he do if he doubts his parents’ understanding of the issue of zakat al-Fitr which they pay on his behalf? And what are the consequences if there was an obligatory zakat due from him which he did not pay due to ignorance, and he does not know its amount?

Zakat (definition) is obligatory on saved money, regardless of its purpose, if a year has passed and it reaches the nisab (definition) (minimum threshold), which is approximately equivalent to 85 grams of pure gold. This saved money must be purified with zakat even if the saver is in a difficult financial situation.

If your expenses are obligatory upon your father, he is responsible for paying Zakat al-Fitr on your behalf. However, if your expenses are no longer obligatory upon your father (upon reaching maturity and being able to earn a living), then you are obliged to pay Zakat al-Fitr yourself or by authorizing your parents, provided the intention is made.