Difference between Zakat and Zakat ul Fitr

الجواب وباللہ التوفیق

There is a difference between the two in several ways some of which are mentioned below:

• Zakat to be mandatory is proved from the Qur’aan and the Sadaqa tul Fitr to be compulsory from the noble Ahadith.
• For Zakat the condition is that the wealth must be مال نامی (of the nature that it’s increasable, e.g., business investment), however, that’s not the condition for Sadaqa tul Fitr, rather all kind of wealth in excess of the necessities is added in the value, if it reaches the Nisab then Sadaqa tul Fitr is compulsory in it.
• In Zakat the condition is that a year must pass on the wealth, however, that’s not the condition for the Sadaqa tul Fitr. To take Zakat out on one own’s behalf is Wajib (compulsory), however, it is even Wajib (compulsory) to take Sadaqa tul Fitr out on behalf of one’s non-adult children, etc. کذا فی کتب الفقہ}۔
• Zakat is only Wajib (compulsory) on the صاحب نصاب (Saheb e Nisab) person and the Sadaqa tul Fitr on the صاحب نصاب  (Saheb e Nisab) person himself as well as his non-adult children whose expense is mandatory on him.
• The amount of Zakat is 2.5% i.e.,40^th part of the whole wealth, and the amount of Sadaqa tul Fitr is one kilo and 575 grams wheat or its value, and then according to dates and raisins, its amount is different.
• Zakat is concerned with the wealth, and Sadaqa tul Fitr is concerned with the persons.
• Zakat is Wajib (compulsory) on an adult and a sane person and Sadaqa tul Fitr is Wajib (compulsory) on non-adult and insane too, etc.

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