A Peculiar Manner of Paying the Sadaqatul Fitr

Question: People here say that the Sadaqatul Fitr is Waajib (compulsory) on people who can afford it as well as those who cannot afford it. They also say that if a person cannot afford it, he may give the money to his wife, who will, in turn, give it back to him. In this way, the Sadaqatul Fitr will be discharged.

Answer: Sadaqatul Fitr is Waajib (compulsory) for the person who is in possession of Nisaab. If a person does not possess the equivalent of Sadaqatul Fitr on the day of Eid, he need not pay the Sadaqatul Fitr. There is therefore no need to adopt the manner described in the question. It is however permissible a person to adopt this manner when Sadaqatul Fitr is not Waajib (compulsory) for him and he wishes to pacify his heart. It must however, be borne in mind that the Sadaqatul Fitr cannot be given to one's ascendants, descendants or spouse.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3