The rulings of Ramadan’s ‘Zakatul Fitr’ (Fitra): Provision, Virtue, Time, Permissible and Impermissible and Quantity are pointed here on the basis of Al-Quran and Sahih Hadees.
“Those who put aside from their wealth a known right for the needy and the poor…(other conditions) they are honoured in Gardens of Bliss.”
Table of Contents
- Wisdom of Zakatul Fitr according to Shariat:
- The amount of Zakatul Fitr and the foods from which it can be collected:
- When is Zakatul Fitr obligatory and when should it be paid?
- On whom Zakatul Fitr is obligatory?
- Sectors of distribution of Zakatul Fitr:
- Can Zakatul Fitr be done with money or something else instead of food?
Wisdom of Zakatul Fitr according to Shariat:
The wisdom of Zakat-ul-Fitr is that this sadqah (charity) purifies the soul of the fasting person from wrongs and obscene speech. On the other hand, on the day of Eid, fakir and miskin (poor and needy) are kept free from asking for help from others.
Narrated from Abdullah Ibn Abbas (R), he said:
“The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made zakat al-fitr obligatory to purify the fast from nonsense and obscenity and as food for the poor.” (Ibn Majah)
The amount of Zakatul Fitr and the foods from which it can be collected:
Every person has to pay from the conventional human food of the country, such as wheat, dates, rice, raisins or cheese.
Narrated by Abu Saeed Khudri (R): He said:
“In the time of Rasulullah (SAW) we used to take out one sa’ * ‘amount of food as fitra, one sa’ of dates, one sa’ of barley, one sa’ of raisins or one sa’ of cheese”. (Bukhari-1508) [Sahih]
*[One sa’ amount is about 2.5 to 3 kg: food items]
When is Zakatul Fitr obligatory and when should it be paid?
With the arrival of the night of Eid-ul-Fitr, Zakat-ul-Fitr becomes obligatory. And the time for collecting Zakatul Fitr is one or two days before Eid. Because Ibn Umar (R) used to do this. And the best time to pay is on the day of Eid after sunrise and just before the Eid prayer. Because the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed the people to perform it before going out for Eid prayers.
Narrated by Ibn Abbas (R):
“Zakat is acceptable for one who performs it before the Eid prayer. And for the person who performs it after the prayer, it will be considered as a simple charity. ” (Abu Dawood-1609) [Hasan]
● Nafi ‘(R) said: Ibn’ Umar (R) used to perform it one or two days before Eid.
(Bukhari-1509) [Sahih]
And if you are travelling, it will be forgivable. In sha Allah.
On whom Zakatul Fitr is obligatory?
Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory on the Muslim person who will be the owner of extra food for himself and his family on the day and night of Eid and also on his slaves, men and women, young and old. It is mustahab to pay Zakatul Fitr on behalf of the fetus in the womb.
Narrated by Abdullah (R): * The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has made Sadaqat al-Fitr obligatory on them, independent and slave, young and old. *
(Abu Dawood-1613) [Sahih]
Sectors of distribution of Zakatul Fitr:
Usually the sectors of zakat are the sectors of zakatul fitr. But it is better to give to the poor and needy than to other sectors.
Narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas (R): He said, * The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prescribed sadaqat al-fitr (fitra) as an expiation for the vain talk and indecent behavior of the fasting person and to provide food for the poor and needy. *
(Abu Dawood-1609) [Hasan]
Can Zakatul Fitr be done with money or something else instead of food?
In the light of all the hadiths and according to the fatwas and opinions of the (more) jurists and scholars, it is not valid to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr by any means other than food. And the number of hadiths which a speaker presents in favor of it, the certificate of all those shots is ‘Da’if‘.
We have also seen the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) referring to food in every hadeeth.
It is clear in the hadith that in many places he has ordered to pay zakat in money, but in the case of ‘fitra’ he has determined and indicated the amount of food.
Narrated from Sa’d (R): * “Rasulullah (SAW) instructed to collect one sa’ of dates or one sa’ of barley or one sa’ of white barley as sadaqatul fitr’ ” *.
(Ibn Majah-1830) [Hasan]
Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
‘‘ Surely the best word is the Book of Allah and the best standard is the standard of Muhammad. And the worst thing is (in religion) the newly invented thing. And every newly invented thing is bid’at and every bid’at is perversion and the consequence of every depravity is hell “.
(Muslim, Nasai-1578) [Sahih]
Abu Huraira(R) reported: The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said,
– “He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard-pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter…”
(Sahih Muslim 2699) [Sahih]