Chapter on ṣadaqat al-fiṭr — Tuḥfat al-Mulūk

Ruling496

3 notes

It is obligatory on every free Muslim who owns a niṣāb surplus to basic need, even if non-appreciating.

From the editors

1.

It is not obligatory for a kāfir due to their disbelief. As it has the essence of worship, it cannot be fulfilled without intention. The intention of a kāfir is invalid as they lack capacity (ahliyyah) for worship. See: al-Jāmiʿ p. 101.

2.

The niṣāb al-ḥirmān (threshold disqualifying one from receiving Zakāh) is any amount of wealth—whether in currencies, gold/silver, livestock, or trade goods—that meets the niṣāb of Zakāh. It is this niṣāb that obligates the ṣadaqah al-fiṭr, even if a full year has not passed. Similarly, if someone owns other types of property (such as a house not used for residence or trade) and its value reaches the minimum threshold (niṣāb), then Zakāt al-Fiṭr becomes obligatory, even though no Zakāh is due on it. This threshold prevents someone from receiving (ḥirmān) Zakāh, as opposed to the niṣāb that obligates Zakāh, which must have the potential for growth. See: al-Wiqāyah, p. 229, and ʿUmdat al-Riʿāyah 1:302.

3.

It is obligatory but not farḍ in the strict sense, because farḍ refers to commands established by definitive (qatʿī) evidence. In contrast, the obligation of this type of Zakāh (Zakāh al-Fiṭr) rests on non-definitive (ẓannī) evidence, namely the solitary report (khabar al-wāḥid). Ibn ʿUmar narrated, “The Messenger of Allah enjoined (farḍa) Zakāh al-Fiṭr from Ramaḍān on the people: one sāʿ of dates or one sāʿ of barley, upon every free or enslaved, male or female Muslim.” Recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2:677. Here, the word “enjoined” (farḍa) indicates the measure of Zakāh al-Fiṭr, because farḍa in language can mean “to measure.” Allah, the Exalted, says: “Then pay half of what you specified.” 2:237, meaning half of the dowry agreed. Ibn ʿAbbās said, “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined the charity of Ramaḍān: half a sāʿ of wheat or one sāʿ of barley or one sāʿ of dates upon the enslaved and the free, the male and the female,” as recorded in Musnad Aḥmad 1:351 and Sunan al-Dāraquṭnī 2:152.

Ruling497

2 notes

He pays for himself, his small child who owns nothing, and his household slave even if a disbeliever—unlike his adult child and his wife; if he pays on their behalf voluntarily without their knowing, it avails them.

Ruling498

1 note

It is not obligatory for his mukātab—unlike his mudabbar and his child’s mother—nor for a slave or two co-owned slaves.

Ruling499

1 note

وهي نصف صاع من برٍّ وزناً أو دقيقه أو سَويقه، أَو صاع من تمرٍ أو شعير أو دقيقه أو سويقه.

It is half a ṣāʿ of wheat by weight, or its flour or its sūq; or a ṣāʿ of dates or barley or their flour or sūq.

Ruling500

2 notes

وفي الزَّبيب روايتان.

On raisins there are two narrations.

Ruling501

والدقيق أَفْضَل من البرّ، والدَّراهم أَفضل منهما، وقيل: البرّ أَفضل منهما.

Flour is more virtuous than wheat; dirhams are more virtuous than both; and it is said: wheat is more virtuous than both.

Ruling502

2 notes

والصاع: ثمانية أرطال بالعراقي.

The ṣāʿ: eight Iraqi pounds (ratl).

Ruling503

1 note

ووقتها: فجريوم الفطر، ويستحبّ دفعها قبل الخروج لصلاة العيد.

Its time: the dawn of the day of Fiṭr; it is recommended to pay it before leaving for the Eid prayer.

Ruling504

3 notes

ويصحّ تعجيلها مطلقاً، ولا تسقط بالتأخير، بخلاف الأضحية.

Advancing it is valid unconditionally, and it does not lapse by delay—unlike the sacrificial animal.

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