Do single women have to give fitrah, too? Is it all right if it is given by their fathers? How old does a person have to be to give fitrah?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Sadaqa al-fitr / fitrah is not zakah of the wealth; it is zakah of the body. It is not necessary for a person who will give fitrah to own something that increases apart from basic needs for one year and to own commercial goods. 

It is wajib for a person who has nisab amount of money or goods in the morning of eid to give fitrah. Nisab amount for fitrah is based on silver: two hundred dirhams (561.2 gr). If the wealth that is equal to or more than nisab amount is lost after fitr becomes wajib, it is still necessary to give fitrah.

It is wajib for a person who has nisab amount to give fitrah for himself, his children who have not reached the age of puberty and who do not own any wealth and the servants who work for him. It is not wajib for him to give fitrah for his wife and children who have reached the age of puberty.

However, he can give fitrah for his children who have not reached the age of puberty and his wife without asking them. If a small child has his own wealth, fitrah is given from his wealth.

Accordingly, one's wife or children who have reached the age of puberty do not have to give zakah if they do not own nisab amount of wealth. However, the head of the family can give fitrah for them if he wishes.

Questions on Islam