A mukatab may possess and trade property, but the emancipation contract restricts his legal control and prevents it from being treated as unrestricted complete ownership.
Since full ownership is required, his assets are not treated like those of a free person with complete title. The decisive point is the legal quality of ownership, not simply the amount of money involved.
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The Book of Zakat: Obligation, Liability Conditions and Intention
A mukatab may possess and trade property, but the emancipation contract restricts his legal control and prevents it from being treated as unrestricted complete ownership.
Since full ownership is required, his assets are not treated like those of a free person with complete title. The decisive point is the legal quality of ownership, not simply the amount of money involved.