Chapter: Zakah al-Fitr

His statement, “Chapter: Zakah al-Fitr”: Is this genitive construction attributing the matter to its time or to its cause? If we say it is attributed to its cause, this would mean that young children are not liable for Zakah al-Fitr, since they do not fast. But if we say it is attributed to its time, it is obligatory upon young children and upon those unable to fast due to old age and the like.

His statement, “al-fitr,” means the breaking of the fast at the end of Ramadan. It is called zakah because of the growth it brings: growth in character, since it places a person among the generous; growth in wealth, because whatever of your wealth you give seeking the Countenance of Allah brings growth to it; and growth in good deeds, due to the Prophet’s statement: “You will not spend anything seeking thereby the Countenance of Allah except that you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel you place in your wife’s mouth.” (1)

The author placed the chapter on Zakah al-Fitr after the chapter on zakah of wealth because Zakah al-Fitr is neither due upon wealth nor connected to it. There is no specific wealth upon which this zakah becomes obligatory; rather, it is an obligation owed personally. Moreover, its connection to the individual is stronger than that of zakah on wealth.

He attributed it to al-fitr, as stated in the hadith. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Zakah al-Fitr.” (2) This is because al-fitr—the ending of Ramadan—is the cause of its obligation. The wisdom behind the obligation of Zakah al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan is what the Prophet ﷺ mentioned: “a purification for the fasting person from idle speech and obscenity,” (3) and an expression of gratitude to Allah