Question

Assalamu alaikum.

If I have a donor-advised fund in which I am holding charitable funds to donate in the future, am I still required to pay zakat upon those funds? My understanding is that I no longer have any legal control over that money, although I do have advising privileges.

Also, can I pay my zakat using these DAF funds? I am a little confused about who technically owns this money Islamically. If it is no longer my money, should I not use the DAF to pay my zakat?

Answer

Waʿalaykum al-Salām wa Raḥmat Allah wa Barakātu-h.

In the Name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful.

Yes, it will be included in the annual amount 

And Allah knows best.

Shaykh Mohammed Amin Kholwadia