Zakat al-Fitr: The Obligation and Who Must Pay

Short answer: Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, young and old, free and slave, who has the means to pay. The head of household is responsible to pay on behalf of his dependents who lack their own wealth (such as children, elderly parents he supports, and slaves). For dependents who possess their own wealth, they should pay themselves, but the guardian may pay with their consent. Details: The obligation is proven by the following texts: the Prophet (ﷺ) made it incumbent on every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503, 1504). The Companions used to give on behalf of every young and old, free and slave among them (Sahih Muslim 985b). This indicates that the obligation is personal, but the guardian fulfills it for those under his care who cannot pay themselves. There is no specific evidence that the head of household must pay for adult dependents who have their own income; they must pay their own zakat al-fitr. Evidence: 1. Sahih al-Bukhari 1504: "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr." 2. Sahih al-Bukhari 1503: "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old." 3. Sahih Muslim 985b: "We, on behalf of every young or old, free man or slave (amongst us), used to take out during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as the Zakat of Fitr one sa' of grain." These texts make clear that zakat al-fitr is obligatory on all Muslims, and the practice of the Companions shows that the head of household pays for those he supports. In complex cases, consult a knowledgeable scholar.