Is it permissible to delay the payment of Zakat al-Fitr for those who do not have the money at the time it is due?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and may Allah accept your deeds and fasting.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
- It is permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr after the sighting of the Shawwal moon. This means that if a person meets the five conditions by the night of Eid (the night before the first of Shawwal), they are obligated to pay it. They have the option to pay it from the time the moon is sighted on the night of the first of Shawwal. It is recommended to pay it before the Eid prayer for those who intend to perform it. If one does not intend to perform the Eid prayer, the time extends until noon on Eid al-Fitr (the first of Shawwal). If they delay it, they may do so provided they do not neglect delivering it to the poor, and it is recommended to renew the intention when handing it over.
- If the inability to pay is due to poverty, then you are not obligated to pay it, as the obligation to pay Zakat al-Fitr requires the person to be wealthy. If the salary does not cover the expenses of the individual and their family, then Zakat al-Fitr is not obligatory upon them.
Source: Fiqh al-Wali: On the Rulings of Zakat al-Fitr + Official Website, New Inquiries, Q 5
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):
- Zakat al-Fitr becomes obligatory upon the entry of the night of Eid according to the majority of scholars (may Allah be pleased with them). It is permissible to delay it until after the sun has passed on the day of Eid for those who do not perform the Eid prayer. It is strongly recommended not to delay it beyond the Eid prayer for those who do pray it. If they delay it, they may do so if they are waiting for a specific poor person, etc. However, if they do not pay or set it aside until after the sun has passed, it does not become void, but they should perform it later with the intention of drawing closer to Allah without the intention of performance or making up for it.
- If the inability to pay is due to poverty, then you are not obligated to pay it, as the obligation to pay Zakat al-Fitr requires the person to be wealthy. If the salary does not cover the expenses of the individual and their family, then Zakat al-Fitr is not obligatory upon them.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Time of Obligation for Zakat al-Fitr + Conditions for the Obligation of Zakat al-Fitr and Some of Its Rulings
May you be successful in all good.