Is the Zakat al-Fitr sufficient if the questioner’s cousin paid it on behalf of the questioner and six other individuals, given that the questioner is eligible to receive it?

The jurists differed on the recipients of Zakat al-Fitr, holding three views:

1. The majority: It is permissible to distribute it among the eight categories of recipients for Zakat al-Mal (Zakat on wealth). 2. The Malikis and Ibn Taymiyyah: It is to be exclusively given to the poor and the needy. 3. The Shafi'is: It is obligatory to distribute it among the eight categories or among those found from them.

Based on this, what your cousin paid to you from himself and those he supports is sufficient if you are poor. However, what he paid to you on your behalf is not sufficient, because you are required to pay it yourself or through an agent to the rightful recipients. The fact that the one you authorized paid it to you does not count as payment. You must now pay Zakat al-Fitr for yourself if you were capable of doing so at the time it became obligatory (sunset on the last day of Ramadan), by possessing a sa' of food or its value, in excess of your needs and the needs of your family for the day and night of Eid.