Zakaatul-Fitr: Ramadan 1432
Definition
Zakaat al-Fitr is a kind of
charity (sadaqah) that is obligatory at the time of breaking the fast of
Ramadaan. The word zakaat is connected by idaafah (genitive structure in Arabic
grammar) to fitr because the occasion of breaking the fast is the reason why
this zakaat becomes obligatory.
Reasons for zakaat al-fitr
and what Islam says about it
Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat
al-fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and
foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an
accepted zakaat, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of
charity (sadaqah).” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 1371. Al-Nawawi said: Abu Dawood
reported it from Ibn ‘Abbaas with a hasan isnaad).
“Purifying” means
purifying the soul of the one who has fasted Ramadaan. With regard to the word
“foul language”, Ibn al-Atheer said: “‘Foul language’ refers to obscene speech.
‘Feeding [the poor]’ refers to food that is edible. ‘Whoever pays it before the
prayer’ means before Salaat al-‘Eid. ‘It is an accepted zakaat’ – here zakaat
means sadaqat al-fitr. ‘Just a kind of charity’ means a kind of charity that
could be given at any time.” (‘Awn al-Ma’bood Sharh Abi Dawood).
It was said that this is
what was meant by the aayah in Soorat al-A’laa (interpretation of the meaning):
“But those will prosper who purify themselves, and glorify the name of their
Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in Prayer.” [al-A’laa 87:14-15 ]
It was reported that ‘Umar
ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez and Abu’l-‘Aaliyah said: “He [the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him)] paid zakaat al-fitr then he went out for the
prayer – i.e., Salaat al-‘Eid. (Al-Jassaas, Ahkaam al-Qur’aan, part 3, Soorat
al-A’laa).
Wakee’ ibn al-Jarraah said:
“Zakaat al-fitr for the month of Ramadaan is like two sajdahs of sahw for the
prayer. It makes up for any shortcomings in the fast as the prostrations make up
for any shortcomings in the prayer.” (Al-Nawawi, al-Majmoo’, part 6).
Rulings on zakaat al-fitr
The correct view is that it
is fard (obligatory), because Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr
obligatory,” and because of the consensus of the scholars (ijmaa’) that it is
fard. (Al-Mughni, part 2, Baab Sadaqat al-Fitr).
Who is obliged to pay it?
1. Zakaat al-fitr is obligatory on Muslims. Ibn ‘Umar (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of
barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and
old.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407)
2· Al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The
hadeeth of Naafi indicates that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) made it obligatory only on the Muslims, which is in
accordance with the Book of Allaah, may He be glorified, because He has made
zakaat as a purification for the Muslims, and purification can only be for the
Muslims.
(Al-Umm, part2, Baab Zakaat
al-Fitr).
3· It is obligatory on those who are able to pay it.
Al-Shaafa'i said: Everyone who, at the beginning of Shawwaal, has enough food
for himself and those whom he is supporting, for that day, and has enough to
give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of them and himself should give it on behalf of
them and himself. If he only has enough to give on behalf of some of them, then
he should give on behalf of some of them. If he only has enough for himself and
those whom he is supporting, then he is not obliged to give zakaat al-fitr on
his own behalf or on behalf of those whom he is supporting.” (Al-Umm, part 2,
Baab Zakaat al-Fitr).
Ruling on one who does not pay zakaat al-fitr
although he is able to
The one who does not pay zakaat al-fitr has to
repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness, because he is sinning by withholding
it. He also has to pay it to those who are entitled to it, but after Eid prayer
it is simply regarded as ordinary charity.
Zakaat al-Fitr is food, not
money, and it is to be given to needy Muslims only
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made giving a saa’ of dates or a
saa’ of barley as Zakaat al-Fitr an obligation for all Muslims, slave and free,
male and female, young and old, and ordered that it should be given before the
people went out to pray (Salaat al-Eid).” (Al-Bukhaari, 1503).
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “We used to pay as
Zakaat al-Fitr a saa’ of food or a saa’ of barley (which was their food at that
time) or a saa’ or dates or a saa’ of aqit (dried yoghurt) or a saa’ of
raisins.” (1506)
From this it is clear that Zakaat al-Fitr must be food, not money, so we must
adhere to what has been recorded in the Sunnah. So give one saa’ of whatever is
the staple food in your country, such as rice or wheat, for example, on behalf
of yourself and each member of your household. (A saa’ is equivalent to
approximately 3 kilograms). It is not permissible to give it to anyone except a
needy Muslim. If you cannot find anyone in your own country, you can delegate
someone else to give it on your behalf in another country. May Allaah help us
and you to do the duties that He loves.
To whom should zakaat
al-fitr be given?
Zakaat al-fitr should be given to the poor Muslims in the land or city where it
is given, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may
Allaah be pleased with him), who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr, to be paid in Ramadaan
to feed the poor…” It is permissible to send it to the poor of another land
whose people are in greater need. It is not permissible to spend it on building
a mosque or other charitable projects.
When it has to be given
It becomes obligatory when
the sun sets on the last day of Ramadaan. Anyone who gets married, has a baby
born to him or becomes Muslim before the sun sets on that day, has to give
zakaat al-fitr [on behalf of himself and/or his new wife or new baby], but if
that happens after sunset, he does not have to give it… Whoever dies after
sunset on the night of fitr, sadaqat al-fitr must be given on his behalf. This
is what Ahmad stated.” (Al-Mughni, part 2, Fasl Waqt Wujoob Zakaat al-Fitr).
Remember that this year the amount to be paid per head is $10.00. Masjid
As-Salaam through its Zakaat and Sadaqaat Fund will collect the money and buy
the appropriate food to be distribute to the needy Muslims.
Imam Maleck