for completing the month, and as food for the needy on this day—a day of celebration, joy, and happiness. It is therefore wise that they be given this zakah, so that they may share with the wealthy in joy and happiness.

His statement ﷺ, “and a purification for the fasting person …,” is based on what is generally the case; otherwise, a young child and the like do not fast.

It is obligatory upon every Muslim who has, beyond his own provision, the provision of his dependants, and his essential needs, one sāʿ remaining for the day and night of Eid, …

His statement, “It is obligatory upon every Muslim”: “It is obligatory”—the subject refers back to Zakah al-Fitr.

His statement, “It is obligatory,” means that its ruling is obligation, on account of the hadith of Ibn Umar which will follow, and the hadith of Ibn Abbas: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed Zakah al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person and as food for the needy.”

His statement, “upon every Muslim,” excludes those who are not Muslim, such as Jews, idolaters, Christians, and others. Zakah al-Fitr is therefore not obligatory upon them, due to the hadith of Ibn Umar: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed Zakah al-Fitr as one sāʿ of dates or one sāʿ of barley, upon the male and female, the free person and the slave, the adult and the child, among the Muslims.” (1)