I work as a female employee in education, and my father pays the alms given at the end of Ramadan on my behalf every year. I recently learned that one who receives a fixed salary can pay it on his or her own behalf.

The questioner : I work as a female employee in education, and my father pays the alms given at the end of Ramadan on my behalf every year...

The Shaykh : about?

The questioner : He pays the alms given at the end of Ramadan on my behalf.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Every year, and I recently learned that one who receives a fixed salary can pay it on his or her own behalf. Given that I have worked for several years, is there a sin on me for not paying it myself from my own money? If so, what should I do? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with the best of good.

The Shaykh : The principle regarding what Allah has made obligatory for His servants is that it is an obligation upon the servant himself, not upon another. This includes the alms given at the end of Ramadan, which is obligatory upon the person himself, not upon another. For if we were to make it obligatory upon another, we would be burdening him with its weight if he neglected it, thereby making him bear the weight of another’s sin. And Allah the Exalted said: Thus, a person is addressed to perform the alms given at the end of Ramadan on his own behalf. However, if he has a father, an older brother, or a husband who pays it on his behalf and he is content with that, there is no blame on him. This is how the reports from the Salaf (the earliest generations) regarding this matter are understood. So, as long as you have been content with your father paying the alms given at the end of Ramadan on your behalf, there is no blame on you, even if you have income from a salary or otherwise. Yes.