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Fatwa CenterZakat Al-Fitr is obligatory even for one who does not fast
Question
I am a Moroccan Muslim woman living in a foreign country. I have three sons, the eldest is 19 years old and the youngest is 13 years old. They do not observe fasting. Am I required to give Zakaat Al-Fitr on their behalf or not? Thank you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
You are, first and foremost, required to urge your sons to observe fasting in Ramadan, and command them and motivate them through all possible means. The person who attains the age of puberty and abandons fasting in Ramadan commits a grave major sin. Moreover, whoever attains the age of puberty and deliberately abandons fasting in Ramadan is required to make up for the days of fasting that he has missed since reaching the age of puberty. He is also required to sincerely repent to Allaah.
As for Zakat Al-Fitr, if your sons have their own property, they will be obliged to pay it from their own wealth. If you still provide for them, you will be required to give Zakat Al-Fitr on their behalf.
Subsequently, Zakat Al-Fitr must be given even if they do not observe fasting. Although abandoning fasting is a grave major sin, it does not exempt one from the obligation of giving Zakat Al-Fitr, which is an independent duty. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, made Zakat Al-Fitr obligatory for each Muslim. So, your sons are included in this general command of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as long as they are Muslims.
Allaah Knows best.
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