The faqir, the miskin and the recipients of fitra

Question

Please give the shar‘i definition of the faqir, the miskin and the poor person, and explain who is entitled by the Shari‘a to sadaqat al-fitr: is it only the qadi, the spiritual guide or the teacher, or also the faqir, the miskin and close relatives (whose income is insufficient for their expenses)? To whom is it superior to give?

Answer

One who owns nothing, or whose [property] is less than the amount of the nisab, is called in the terminology of the Shari‘a a faqir and a miskin; he is entitled to zakat and fitra, whether he is a qadi, a spiritual guide, a teacher or anyone else; but giving [them] in return for someone’s service is not correct.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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