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- Islam: According to all four schools of Islamic Jurisprudence, Islam is a pre-requisite. (Sharh fath al-qadeer 2/286 Dar al-kutub al-ilmiyyah)
- Free: All the scholars agree that a slave will not be obliged to donate Sadaqah al-fitr. (Sharh fath al-qadeer 2/286 dar al-kutub al-ilmiyyah)
- Possessing the quantum (nisaab) for Sadaqah al-fitr: This condition is deduced from the hadith: “Sadaqah isn’t compulsory except for he who is well-off.” (Musnad 10/7 Dar al-Hadith)
What is meant by quantum or minimum amount in one's posession (nisaab) is: that amount of wealth one must have for Sadaqah al-fitr to be compulsory. If somebody possesses less than that amount, he will not be obliged to pay Sadaqah al-fitr.
The Hanafi school specifies a set Nisab. According to the Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, one who possesses surplus provisions for the night and day of Eid for himself and his dependents, will be obliged to discharge of Sadaqah al-fitr. (Mawaahib al-Jaleel 3/257 Dar al-kutub al-ilmiyyah) (Mughni al-muhtaaj 1/594 Dar al-ma’rifah) (al-Mughni 4/301 Dar ‘aalam al-kutub)
For further clarification:
- Sadaqa al Fitr is Wajib (absolutely necessary) on anyone who possesses so much that Zakat is due on him.
- A person though not required to pay Zakat, possesses items more than his daily needs (for the purpose of trade or otherwise). The value of these items adds up to the Nisaab (amount for Zakat being Wajib). Sadaqatul Fitr will be Wajib upon such a person as well, even though a whole year may not have passed while these items were in his or her posession.
- A person should discharge his Sadaqa al Fitr in respect of himself and all those who are dependent upon him like his wife and his minor children (who do not possess any wealth). If they do, the Sadaqatul Fitr may be given from their wealth.
- It is not Wajib to give Sadaqatul Fitr on behalf of a child born on the day of Eid (after the time of Fajr sets in).
- It is not Wajib to give Sadaqatul Fitr on behalf of one's mature children though one may do so voluntarily. One may also give on behalf of his children adult or otherwise who may suffer from a mental disability.
- Sadaqatul Fitr is Wajib and be must discharged this whether one has observed the fast of Ramadan or not.
- Those who is eligible to take Zakat and Sadaqatul Fitr are not required to pay Sadaqa al Fitr.
- Sadaqatul Fitr becomes Wajib on the day of Eid as the time of Fajr Salat arrives. If one dies before the time of Fajr Salat, Sadaqatul Fitr will not be Wajib upon him. I should not be taken from him or from his property
- Anyone having in their posession valuables in excess of $3461.55 is required to pay Sadaqa al Fitr. These items do not have to be in the form of Gold, Silver, merchandise purchased for sale,as is the case with Zakaat. House hold items, personal vehicles, even daily necessities
Understanding The difference between Zakat and Sadaqah Fitr.
