There are two types of Zakah in Islam. The first is the regular, compulsory charity (levied on the rich), also referred to specifically as Zakat al-mal; it is the third pillar of Islam. The other is Zakat al-Fitr, also known sadaqat al-Fitr.

 

Zakat al-Fitr is due on every person who has sufficient means to maintain himself and his family beyond the day and night of `Eid, and it must be paid on behalf of every member of one’s family including infants.

 

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on everyone who has witnessed the last part of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal. Thus, it is not obligatory on those who have died before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, nor is it a must to pay it on behalf of infants born after the final departure of Ramadan.

 

As explicitly stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him), the purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is two-fold:

 

1- To help compensate for the deficiencies in our fasts. Often we are guilty of mistakes, which, although we may be unaware of them, may nevertheless undermine the blessings and rewards of fasting.

 

2- It is intended to help the poor celebrate `Eid al-Fitr. Islam, being a religion with a social message, considers it essential that at least on the day of `Eid, nobody should be allowed to go hungry.

 

Abu Dawud narrated on the authority of Ibn `Abbas that he (the latter) said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prescribed Zakat al-Fitr in order to cleanse those who were fasting from (damages done to their fasts due to indulgence in) lewdness or obscenities, as well as a means of proving food for the poor; so, if someone pays it before the Salah, it is considered Zakah, and if someone pays it after, it is a form of charity.” (Ibn Majah on the authority of `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas)

 

Zakat al-Fitr is considered obligatory on every Muslim, male or female, young or old.

 

Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of `Abd Allah ibn `Umar: “The Messenger of Allah prescribed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr at the rate of one sa` of dates or wheat, to be paid by every Muslim, whether free or slave, male or female, young or old.”

 

Imam Khattabi commented on this, saying, “If we say its purpose is to purify our fasts, Zakat al-Fitr should be obligatory on every person who is fasting, rich or poor, who has a sufficiency above his sustenance, for everyone is in need of purification.”

 

However, Ibn Hajar countered this argument, saying, “Purification is mentioned only as one of the major purposes, albeit an important one, but its wisdom is not exhausted by it; so, it should be binding on everyone, including those who have not incurred any sins whatsoever, such as children, etc.).”

 

Almighty Allah knows best.