#439: Ruling on Zakātul Fitr
QUESTION
ON BEHALF OF WHOM IS THE ZAKĀTU AL-FITR GIVEN?
” @Admin, please my question is:
As regards today’s post. That one would pay Zakaatul-Fitr on … those under him…
Now. I don’t understand that phrase.
If I have a driver, does that mean I’d pay Zakaatul-Fitr on such driver?
Would a person of Dangote’s caliber pay Zakaatul-Fitr on every person working under him?
Please sir, kindly treat this question as urgent because Zakaatul-Fitr payment starts tomorrow.
JazaakAllaahu khairan.”
ANSWER
Alhamdulillaah!
What is meant in the statement to which you refer is the Hadīth that was transmitted by Imām Ad-Daaraqutni – rahimahullaah – the Haafidh of the World and narrated by Ibn Umar – radiyallaahu anhuma – that the Rasūl – salallaahu alayhi wasallam – said:
ﺃﺩﻭﺍ ﺍﻟﻔﻄﺮﺓ ﻋﻤﻦ ﺗﻤﻮﻧﻮﻥ )
“Give out the Alms of the Fitr on behalf of those you feed.”
In the Hadīth is some weakness because the chain stopped at the Companion.
The Muhaddithun said: the Hadīth is a statement of the Sahaabah and not that of the Rasūl – salallāhu alayhi wasallam.
However, the majority of our Ulamā hold that it is obligatory upon one to give the Zakātu Al-Fitr on behalf of everyone he is responsible to feed as a matter of responsibility.
Therefore, one’s employees cannot be seen in that light since it was not your responsibility by the Shari’ah to feed them.
The Maaliki’s hold that it is obligatory upon the man to make the Zakaatu Al-Fitr on behalf of everyone that lives under him in his home and does not possess the ability to give out by himself.
It is my sincere hope that the questioner has comprehended what is meant.
Allāh guide us, āmīn.
Bārakallāhu Fīkum
Jazākumullāhu Khayran.
30th Ramadān 1438.
📚 IslamNode
