ZAKAAT-UL-FITR
IS WAJIB
--------------------------
Rasulullâh
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “The
fast remains suspended between Heaven and Earth until the
fitrah is paid.”
It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Remember!
Zakat-ul-Fitr is Wajib (strongly recommended, just short
of obligatory) on every Muslim, man or woman, free or in
servitude, adult or child.” (Hadith: Tirmidhi's Sunan)
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) made the
Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory for the purpose of: purifying our
fasting from vain talk and shameful mistakes, to make arrangements
for the poor and the needy for food and clothing (for the
festival of Eid). (Hadith: Abu Dawud, Ibn Maja)
THE IMPORTANCE OF SADAQATUL-FITR
Fitr
means to break fast or to refrain from fasting. Hence the
Eid after the fasts of Ramadhân is called Eid-ul-Fitr,
as it is the day of rejoicing after the completion of fasting.
On this occasion of happiness, as a sign of gratitude one
has to give a specific amount in alms, which is called Sad’qatui-Fitr.
To purify and obtain complete blessings for the fasts of
Ramadhân Mubârak one has to give Sadaqatul-Fitr.
It is reported from Ibn Abbâs Radiallâhu anhu
that Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam
made charity of Fitr compulsory as a purification of fasts
from useless talks and vile discourses and also as food
to the poor (Abû Dawûd). Thus it is wâjib
to give Sadaqatul-Fitr to purify one’s fast. The true
object in giving Sadqatul-fitr on this happy, occasion is
also to assist the poor and needy, so that, they may rejoice
with the more fortunate.
In a narration of Tirmidhi, it is reported that Rasulullâh
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam sent a proclaimer
through the lanes of Makkah to proclaim. “Beware charity
of Fitr is wâjib on every Muslim, male or female,
free or slave, young or old - two muuds [measures] of wheat,
or its equivalent, or one Sa’a from food crops”.
It is apparent from this Hadîth that Sadaqatul-Fitr
is wâjib on every Muslim. A person should pay Sad’qatulFitr
on behalf of his family if they own no wealth. It is wâjib
to pay Sadaqatul-Fitr whether one fasts or not.
The
time of Sadqa becomes wâjib on the day of Eid when the
dawn breaks. If a person dies before Subh-Sadiq [dawn], no
sadaqatul-fitr will be paid from his wealth, but if a child
is born before dawn, it shall be paid on behalf of that child.
It is permissible to pay Sadaqatul-Fitr during the month of
Ramadhân, though it is advisable to pay on the day of
Eid before the Eid Salâh. It will remain due to him
whatever time has passed.
To
distribute a specific amount of money, barley, dates etc,
on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr is wâjib. This giving of alms
to the poor and needy on this auspicious day is called Sadaqatul-Fitr.
Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam instructed
the giving of Sadaqatul-Fitr, in the same year fasting [Roza]
of Ramadhân was made compulsory. This was in the second
year after Hijrah. The reasons for giving Sadaqatul-Fitr are:
(1)
To give Sadaqatul-Fitr in lieu of the acceptance of one’s
fasting.
(2)
To thank Allâh Ta’âla, for bestowing on
us the strength to fast during the month of Ramadhân.
(3)
To purify one’s fast and obtain the complete blessings
of fasting.
(4)
To celebrate the completion of fasting.
(5)
To demonstrate greatness of the day of Eid.
(6)
To assists the poor in joining the atmosphere of Eid.
Sadaqatul
fitr is compulsory charity which becomes payable on the occasion
of Eid-ul-Fitr.
RULES
OF SADAQATUL FITR
Sadaqatul
Fitr (or fitrah) is wâjib [compulsory] upon all Muslims
- male, female and children who on the Day of Eid-ul-Fitr
are owners of the Nisâb of Zakâh.
Fitrah
becomes wâjib when the Day of Fitr dawns with the commencement
of Fajr time. Therefore, if someone died before entry of Fajr
on the Day of Eid, fitrah will not be paid out of his (the
deceased’s) estate, since this fitrah is not wâjib
on him. And, if a child is born before the rising of Fajr,
fitrah will be paid on his behalf. If the child is born after
the entry of Fajr (on the Day of Eid) fitrah is not wâjib
on his behalf.
The
father has to pay the fitrah on behalf of his under age children,
i.e. those who have not attained the age of puberty.
It
is not obligatory upon the husband to pay fitrah on behalf
of his wife. If she is the owner of Nisâb, she shall
have to pay her own fitrah.
If
a minor is the owner of wealth to the amount of Nisâb,
then payment of fitrah on behalf of the minor could be made
from out of his (minor’s) wealth.
The
fitrah should preferably be paid before the Eid Salâh.
It
is not permissible to delay the payment of fitrah later than
the Day of Eid. However, if it was not paid on the Day of
Eid or before, the obligation remains and the fitrah will
have to be paid.
It
is permissible to pay the fitrah in advance at any time during
the month of Ramadhân. The fitrah could be paid even
before Ramadhân.
Sadaqatul
Fitr is wâjib upon all those who fasted as well as those
who did not fast for some reason or other.
The
fitrah can only be paid to “the poor” - those
who are entitled to accept Zakâh.
Fitrah
cannot be utilised for any charitable purpose other than the
poor. Therefore, if fitrah monies are accumulated and then
spent on some other charitable cause, the fitrah obligation
of the fitrah-payers will not be discharged.
Rasulullâh
Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “The fast
remains suspended between Heaven and Earth until the fitrah
is paid.”
This
Hadîth of Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi
wasallam illustrates the importance of the fitrah and its
direct bearing on the acceptance of our Saum [Fasting]. The
Fast is only presented for acceptance by Allâh Ta’âla
when the obligation of fitrah is correctly discharged. The
Muslim public should therefore be very scrupulous when effecting
payment of the fitrah. If the fitrah is misused or wrongly
distributed by the representatives of the public, the public
will still be responsible for its (Fitrah’s) fulfilment.
What
amount Should be paid?
For
the amount payable presently please consult the Ulema in your
area. |