Explanation of the Answer
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and prayers and peace be upon the Seal of the Prophets, and upon his family and his pure companions.
As for what follows: peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is that which has been determined for a man to give on behalf of himself and on behalf of those under his care during the month of Ramadan.
Determining Zakãt al-Fiṭrah and Its Amount
In what has been narrated from the Imams there are two opinions:
one stating that it is one ṣãɛ, and the other stating that it is half a ṣãɛ.
Among these narrations is what is reported from Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“Upon the young and the old, the free person and the servant, for every individual there is one ṣãɛ of wheat, or one ṣãɛ of dates, or one ṣãɛ of raisins.”1
In another narration attributed to him(a.s), the following was added:
“Or one ṣãɛ of barley, or one ṣãɛ of aqit.”2
Aqit, according to the lexicons, is:
“A substance made from sheep’s buttermilk, which is cooked and then left until it separates; it is also said to be made from fresh milk… or specifically from camel milk… or dried hardened milk that is used in cooking.”3
It has also been narrated from him (a.s) that the amount is half a ṣãɛ in wheat and barley:
“For every individual, half a ṣãɛ of wheat or barley, or one ṣãɛ of dates or raisins.”4
Among the jurists are those who considered the specification of half a ṣãɛ to be a matter of taq̣iyyah (dissimulation), whereas it is preferable to regard it as a matter of easing the burden upon people.
Who Gives Zakãt al-Fiṭrah and To Whom It Is Given
In what has been narrated from Ahl al-Bayt (a.s), there are differing statements: some of them exempt Zakãt al-Fiṭrah from those to whom it is permissible to give it, while others do not exempt them.
In some narrations there is a distinction in dropping the obligation between those who may receive Zakãt al-Mãl and those who may receive Zakãt al-Fiṭrah.
Among these reports is that Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ was asked:
“To whom is Zakāt al-Fiṭrah permissible?”
He replied:
“For the one who does not possess sufficient means. Whoever is eligible to receive it, it is not obligatory upon him; and whoever it is obligatory upon, it is not permissible for him to receive it.”5
This indicates that the one who receives Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is exempt from paying it, and the one who gives it is not permitted to receive it, though the details of this matter require further clarification.
The Terms Obligation (Iftirãḍ) and Wujũb
The term iftirãḍ (obligation) appears in what is narrated from Imam al-Ṣādiq (a.s) regarding the interpretation of the verse:
“Establish the prayer and give the zakāt.”
He said:
“It refers to the Fiṭrah which Allah has made obligatory upon the believers.”6
The term wujũb (obligation) appears in the statement:
“Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is obligatory upon everyone who supports dependents, whether male or female, young or old, free or enslaved.”7
The Condition for the Obligation of Zakãt al-Fiṭrah
In one narration, the obligation is restricted to those who have reached maturity, meaning that whoever is obligated to pay zakāt is also obligated to pay Zakāt al-Fiṭrah.
Among such narrations is the report from Imam al-Ṣādiq (a.s):
“Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is obligatory upon everyone upon whom zakãt is obligatory.”8
However, in what was previously mentioned, the wording is general:
“Upon the young and the old, the free person and the servant.”
In another narration from him:
“Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is upon everyone who lives on staple food; he must give from that staple food.”9
The Difference of Opinion Regarding Who Is Obliged to Pay It
In some narrations it is reported that Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is not obligatory upon the needy person who receives Zakãt, while in other narrations it is reported that it is not obligatory upon the one who receives Zakãt al-Fiṭrah, but not necessarily upon the one who receives Zakãt al-Mãl.
Among these narrations is the report that Imam al-Ṣādiq (a.s) was asked:
“About a man who receives zakãt: is Zakãt al-Fiṭrah obligatory upon him?”
He replied: “No.”10
In another narration from him:
“Whoever receives Zakãt al-Māl must pay Zakãt al-Fiṭrah; however, there is no zakāt upon what he has received. But whoever receives Zakãt al-Fiṭrah does not have Zakãt al-Fiṭrah due upon him.”11
This narration appears to distinguish between Zakāt al-Māl and Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, whereas in other narrations no such distinction is made. Among these is the report from Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“There is no Zakāt al-Fiṭrah upon the one who receives zakãt.”12
In another narration from Imam al-Bāqir (a.s), he was asked:
“Is Zakãt al-Fiṭrah obligatory upon a poor person who receives charity?”
He replied:
“Yes. He should give from what has been given to him in charity.”13
Some scholars interpreted this narration as referring to recommendation (nadb) and desirability (istiĥbãb) rather than obligation (farḍ and wujũb).14
This is a good interpretation, though this is not the place to elaborate upon it.
The specific criterion in what has been narrated regarding who is obligated to pay Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is the statement of Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is obligatory upon the one who possesses sufficient provisions for the year.”15
The General Determination of the Amount of Zakãt al-Fiṭrah
In the narrations there is variation and detail regarding what is obligatory for the people of certain regions, and regarding the specific measures that were used in that time.
These narrations are encompassed by the statement of Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“Zakãt al-Fiṭrah for every people is from that with which they feed their dependents, whether milk, raisins, or other than these.”16
Accordingly, Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is to be given from the food that people normally eat, each according to what is customary in his country.
The ṣãɛ, according to the weights commonly used in our time, is approximately three kilograms.17
It is also permissible to give money equivalent to the value of the item that the person wishes to give as charity.
This is based on what is narrated that Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s) was asked:
“What do you say regarding Zakãt al-Fiṭrah: is it permissible for me to give silver equal to the value of the things you mentioned?”
He (a.s) replied:
“Yes. That is more beneficial for the recipient, as he can purchase with it whatever he needs.”18
He was also asked:
“What do you think if we gather it together, give its value in silver, and give it to one Muslim person?”
He (a.s) replied:
“There is no problem with that.”19
It is also narrated from him (a.s):
“There is no objection to giving the monetary value in Zakãt al-Fiṭrah.”20
Who Is Entitled to Receive Zakãt al-Fiṭrah
Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is given to the one who can rightly be considered needy, destitute, or poor, beginning with those closest in relation and proximity.
Among the narrations is the report from Imam al-Bãq̣ir (a.s):
“Give it to the Muslims; and if you do not find a Muslim, then to one who is weak or disadvantaged. You may also give it to your relatives if you wish.”21
Giving Zakãt al-Fiṭrah is not restricted to a particular sect, according to what is narrated that Imam al-Kãẓim was asked:
“Regarding Zakãt al-Fiṭrah, may I give it to someone other than those who follow my allegiance from among the poor of my neighbours?”
He (a.s) replied:
“Yes. The neighbours are more deserving of it because of their closeness and the known relationship.”22
When a Deserving Recipient Cannot Be Found
If the one giving charity is unable to find a poor or needy person nearby to give Zakāt al-Fiṭrah to, it is permissible for him to delay giving it until he finds someone who deserves it, provided that he sets it aside from his own wealth.
This is based on what is narrated from Imam al-Ṣādiq:
“If you have set it aside while searching for a suitable place for it, or while waiting for a person to give it to, then there is no problem with that.”23
The Time of Zakãt al-Fiṭrah
It is permissible to give Zakãt al-Fiṭrah from the first day of the month of Ramaḍãn, but it is preferable to give it before the prayer of ɛEid, so that the one who receives it may benefit from it.
This is based on what is narrated from Imam al-Bãq̣ir and Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“He gives it on the Day of Fiṭr before the prayer, and that is better; yet he has the option of giving it from the first day that enters of the month of Ramaḍãn until its end.”24
It is also narrated from Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“Giving the Fiṭrah before the prayer is better.”25
It has also been reported that before the Eid it is called Fiṭrah, while after it is called charity (ṣadaq̣ah).
Among such reports is the narration from Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“The Fiṭrah: if it is given before you go out to the ɛEid prayer, then it is Fiṭrah; but if it is given after you have gone out to the Eid prayer, then it is charity.”26
Is It Permissible to Transfer It from One Town to Another?
Regarding transferring Zakãt al-Fiṭrah from one town to another, there are two opinions.
The first: if a person intends to give it himself, then it is preferable that he gives it in the town where he resides.
Among the reports supporting this is the narration from Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“It should not be transferred from one land to another.”27
The second: that it may be sent to the Imam, based on what is narrated from Imam al-Ṣãdiq̣ (a.s):
“The Imam knows best where to place it; he distributes it as he sees fit.”28
“Above every possessor of knowledge is One more knowing.”
(Sūrat Yūsuf, 12:76)
Then all praise is due to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and his companions.
- 1Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/173, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (2). Man Lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh 2/115, (59) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 491/1. Al-Istibṣār 2/47, (24) Chapter: The Amount of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (2). Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/64, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 194/2. Wasā’il al-Shīʿah 9/327, (5) Chapter: The Obligation of a Person Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 12139/1.
- 2Al-Istibṣār 2/43, (21) Chapter: The Falling of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah from the Poor and the Needy, Hadith (13). Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/73, (25) Chapter: The Amount of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 231/5. Wasā’il al-Shīʿah 9/330, (5) Chapter: The Obligation of a Person Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 12149/11.
- 3Tāj al-ʿArūs min Jawāhir al-Qāmūs. It may also be vocalised as: al-iqṭ, al-aqiṭ, al-aquṭ, al-iqiṭ. Shaykh Muḥammad Jawād Mughniyyah described it as: “Dried milk whose butter has not been removed.” (Fiqh al-Imām Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq, 2/97).
- 4Al-Istibṣār 2/43, (21) Chapter: The Falling of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah from the Poor and the Needy, Hadith 134/12. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/67, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 211/19. Wasā’il al-Shīʿah 9/336, (6) Chapter: What is Obligatory in Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 12166/11.
- 5Al-Istibṣār 2/41, (21) Chapter: The Exemption of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah from the Poor and Needy, Hadith 127/5. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/66, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 203/11. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/322, (2) Chapter: The Non-Obligation of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah upon the Poor, Hadith 12129/9.
- 6Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/320, Chapters of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, (1) Chapter: Its Obligation upon the Wealthy, Hadith 12120/11. The verse appears in several surahs, including Sūrat al-Baqarah (2:43).
- 7Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/177, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (16). Man Lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh 2/116, (59) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 497/7. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/65, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 196/4. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/327, (5) Chapter: The Obligation of a Person Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 12140/2.
- 8Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/325, (4) Chapter: The Non-Obligation of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah upon One Who Has Not Reached Maturity and Sound Mind, Hadith 12136/1.
- 9Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/176, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (14). Al-Istibṣār 2/43, (22) Chapter: The Nature of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 136/1. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/70, (23) Chapter: The Nature of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 220/1. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/344, (8) Chapter: Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 12188/4.
- 10Al-Istibṣār 2/42, (21) Chapter: The Exemption of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah from the Poor and the Needy, Hadith 130/8. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/66, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 201/9. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/321, (2) Chapter: The Non-Obligation of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah upon the Poor, Hadith 12121/1.
- 11Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/66, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 204/12. Al-Istibṣār 2/42, (21) Chapter: The Exemption of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah from the Poor and the Needy, Hadith 131/9. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/322, (2) Chapter: The Non-Obligation of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah upon the Poor, Hadith 12130/10.
- 12Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/66, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 202/10. Al-Istibṣār 2/41, (21) Chapter: The Exemption of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah from the Poor and the Needy, Hadith 126/4. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/322, (2) Chapter: The Non-Obligation of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah upon the Poor, Hadith 12127/7.
- 13Daʿāʾim al-Islām 1/325. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/67, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 208/16. Al-Istibṣār 2/42, (21) Chapter: The Exemption of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah from the Poor and the Needy, Hadith 132/10. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/324, (3) Chapter: The Recommendation for the Poor to Give Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 12134/2.
- 14This view was adopted by al-Shaykh al-Ṭūsī in Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/67, and by al-Baḥrānī in al-Ḥadāʾiq al-Nāḍirah 12/243.
- 15Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/234, (8) Chapter: The Definition of Poverty, Hadith 11914/10.
- 16Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/70, (23) Chapter: The Nature of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 221/2. Al-Istibṣār 2/43, (22) Chapter: The Nature of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 137/2. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/343, (8) Chapter: Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 12185/1.
- 17Fiqh al-Imām Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq 2/97, by Shaykh Muḥammad Jawād Mughniyyah.
- 18Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/77, (26) Chapter: The Best Form of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah and the Amount of Its Value, Hadith 251/6. Al-Istibṣār 2/50, (26) Chapter: Giving the Monetary Value, Hadith 166/1. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/347, (9) Chapter: The Permissibility of Giving the Market Value, Hadith 12195/6.
- 19Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/174, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (6). Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/347, (9) Chapter: The Permissibility of Giving the Market Value, Hadith 12193/4.
- 20Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/77, (26) Chapter: The Best Form of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah and the Amount of Its Value, Hadith 252/7. Al-Istibṣār 2/51, (26) Chapter: Giving the Monetary Value, Hadith 167/2. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/348, (9) Chapter: The Permissibility of Giving the Market Value, Hadith 12198/9.
- 21Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/177, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (18). Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/78, (27) Chapter: Those Entitled to Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 255/3. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/359, (15) Chapter: The Permissibility of Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah to the Disadvantaged, Hadith 12234/1.
- 22Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/177, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (19). Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/79, (27) Chapter: Those Entitled to Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 259/7. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/360, (15) Chapter: The Permissibility of Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah to the Disadvantaged, Hadith 12235/2.
- 23Al-Istibṣār 2/46, (23) Chapter: The Time of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 145/5. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/69, (22) Chapter: The Time of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 217/6. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/357, (13) Chapter: The Obligation of Setting Aside Zakāt al-Fiṭrah When It Becomes Due, Hadith 12228/5.
- 24Al-Istibṣār 2/46, (23) Chapter: The Time of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 147/7. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/354, (12) Chapter: The Time When Zakāt al-Fiṭrah Becomes Obligatory When Shawwāl Begins, Hadith 12219/4.
- 25Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/173, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (1). Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/64, (21) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 193/1. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/353, (12) Chapter: The Time When Zakāt al-Fiṭrah Becomes Obligatory When Shawwāl Begins, Hadith 12216/1.
- 26Furūʿ al-Kāfī 2/174, (118) Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith (4). Al-Istibṣār 2/45, (23) Chapter: The Time of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 143/3. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/68, (22) Chapter: The Time of Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 214/3. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/354, (12) Chapter: The Time When Zakāt al-Fiṭrah Becomes Obligatory When Shawwāl Begins, Hadith 12217/2.
- 27Al-Istibṣār 2/52, (27) Chapter: Those Entitled to Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 173/4. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/79, (27) Chapter: Those Entitled to Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 260/8. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/360, (15) Chapter: The Permissibility of Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah to the Disadvantaged, Hadith 12236/3.
- 28Al-Istibṣār 2/52, (27) Chapter: Those Entitled to Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 173/4. Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām 4/79, (27) Chapter: Those Entitled to Zakāt al-Fiṭrah, Hadith 260/8. Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah 9/360, (15) Chapter: The Permissibility of Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭrah to the Disadvantaged, Hadith 12236/3.
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