until he takes possession of her. So long as she remains with her family, he is not obliged to maintain her, because zakat al-fitr follows the obligation of maintenance.
Accordingly, if a man contracts marriage with a woman during Ramadan but does not consummate the marriage until after the `Isha prayer on the night of Eid, he is not liable for her zakat al-fitr, because he is not required to maintain her until he takes possession of her.
According to the stronger view, nothing at all is due for her, even if he consummates the marriage during Ramadan.
- Likewise, if a child is born to a man after sunset on the night of Eid, zakat al-fitr is not obligatory for him on the child’s behalf, though it is recommended, because the child was a fetus; it is recommended to give it on his behalf.
“And before it, it becomes obligatory; and it may be given only two days before Eid . . .”
His statement, “And before it, it becomes obligatory,” means that if these circumstances occur before sunset on the night of Eid, then zakat al-fitr becomes obligatory upon the one responsible for the maintenance of those previously mentioned. Thus, whoever embraces Islam even a moment before sunset is liable for zakat al-fitr, because when the time of obligation arrives, he is among those upon whom it is obligatory. Whoever acquires a slave even one minute before sunset is liable for that slave’s zakat al-fitr. Likewise, whoever has a child born to him before sunset is liable for that child’s zakat al-fitr. Similarly, whoever contracts marriage before sunset is liable for his wife’s zakat al-fitr, even if he has not consummated the marriage. This is according to the apparent meaning of the author’s words.
Question: If a person is given several measures of zakat al-fitr on the morning of Eid, such that he possesses more than his day’s provision, zakat al-fitr is not obligatory upon him, because the time when it becomes obligatory is sunset on the night of Eid. This is why, if he had been given that amount at the end of Ramadan, it would have become obligatory upon him.
The author, may Allah have mercy on him, then explained the time for giving zakat al-fitr,