Is it permissible for the parents to use the money of their mentally retarded child?

Answer

Parents may use money from their retarded child only for the expenses of the child. If they use any for themselves, they have to repay it. If the child is baaligh and only retarded, but not insane, then Zakaat is payable on the child's wealth. If the adult child is insane, then Zakaat is not payable on his/her wealth. Zakaat is not payable on the wealth of a nabaaligh child.