What Are Hawaij Al-Asliyya (Essential Needs)?

What are hawaij al-asliyya (essential needs)?

As in the other physical and financial obligations in Islam, some reasonable and bearable responsibilities are given to the obligant by taking the situation of him/her into consideration. Therefore, Islamic scholars have sought the condition of having possession of goods in nisab amount in addition to the basic needs of the person and dependants (family members) for zakat and sadaqah al-fitr to be obligatory.

Basic necessities are the things which a person is in need to safeguard his life and liberty. These can be listed as sheltering, nafaqa (expenses for food, clothing and healthcare), transportation, education, household goods, tools and devices necessary for craftmanship and business, books, tools to use for safety, current expenditures such as electricity, water, fuel, dues etc. and the money held to afford these basic needs (Mawsili, al-Ikhtiyar, I, 332-333; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, III, 178).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA