Does one have to make up zakat al-Fitr if the father paid it on behalf of his son without his permission, and the son does not know the number of years for which it was paid?
The majority of scholars are of the view that a Muslim must pay al-Fitr on behalf of those he supports. This has been reported as a consensus, based on the of Ibn Umar: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded Zakat al-Fitr for the young and old, the free and the enslaved, from those whom you support."
Ibn Abd al-Barr said: "They unanimously agreed that he must pay on behalf of his young son if his maintenance is obligatory upon him."
Ibn al-Mundhir said: "And they unanimously agreed that Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon a person, if he is able to pay it, for himself and his minor children who do not have their own wealth."
The Permanent Committee for Issuing Fatwas clarified that Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon a person for himself and for everyone whose maintenance is obligatory upon him, such as his wife, unless she is disobedient (nashiz) in a way that causes her maintenance to be forfeited.
Accordingly, if the father is the one who provides for his children, then his paying Zakat al-Fitr on their behalf is valid, and he does not need their intention.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 29561
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy