woman who is maintained by a well-off husband, nor to one’s own descendants or forebears, nor to a slave or a spouse.

If he gives it to someone he assumed to be ineligible but who later proves to be eligible—or the reverse—his payment is not considered discharged, except in the single case of a wealthy person1 whom he had mistakenly thought to be poor.

Voluntary charity is commendable, and it is even more meritorious in Ramadan and at times of widespread need.

It is recommended to give from what is left over after meeting his and his dependents’ essential needs, while it is sinful to give in a way that undermines that sufficiency.