What is the ruling regarding the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr for a slave jointly owned by multiple masters?
Chapter on Zakat al-Fitr
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
When a group of people jointly own a slave, Zakat al-Fitr for that slave is obligatory upon his masters. The ruling requiring obligation upon the masters is held by Malik, Muhammad ibn Salamah, 'Abd al-Malik, al-Shafi'i, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, and Abu Thawr. The justification rests on the general application of the Hadith commanding Sadaqah al-Fitr for those one supports, and because the slave is a Muslim slave owned by those capable of paying the Fitr, making it incumbent upon them, similar to the case of a singly owned slave. The *mukatab* is distinguished because his maintenance is not incumbent upon his master.
Supporting text
The view that no Zakat al-Fitr is due from any of the joint owners is held by al-Hasan, 'Ikrimah, al-Thawri, Abu Hanifah, and Abu Yusuf, because no single owner has complete authority over him, resembling the case of the *mukatab*. Regarding the required amount, one narration states that each partner must give a Sa' (measure), analogous to the expiation for killing, where completion is required from each partner. Another narration suggests one Sa' for all of them combined, which is the apparent position of Ahmad. However, Ahmad later retracted from obligating a full Sa' from each partner, stating instead that each gives half a Sa', aligning with those who hold the master responsible, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) mandated one Sa' for each individual, and the slave's maintenance is divided among them, so too should his dependent Fitr be divided.