Zayd is compelling his wife to pay zakah over her jewellery, though she is a housewife and has no source of income. What should Zayd’s wife do in this scenario? Please clarify his responsibility?
As a good husband, Zayd should give his wife’s zakah. If he doesn’t, it’s still his wife’s responsibility to give zakah on the jewellery she is keeping with herself, and not using in the normal day-to-day life. By definition, she is a wealthy person, though she doesn’t have cash with which she can give zakah. The next best option for her then is to sell a part of her jewellery to enable her to pay zakah.Let’s not forget that it’s the wife’s responsibility to give zakah on her wealth. The husband, according to the Qur’an, is obliged to look after his wife well. Paying zakah on behalf of his wife is not binding on him. However, as a good husband, he should help his wife in this matter. In case he declines to help, which of course is not recommended, the wife has to sell a part of her wealth to give zakah.
(Courtesy: http://www.khalidzaheer.com/qa/760)