Zakaah al-Fitr

by **uMar** Mon 25 Apr - 14:50

Assalamoalaikum

Zakaah al-Fitr

1. MEANING
Zakaah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr means
the same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as
Futoor which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakaah al-Fitr is the name
given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadaan.

2. CLASSIFICATION
Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is Waajib on every Muslim, whether male or
female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.

The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah
whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam)
made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young
and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [collected by Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]

The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members.
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf of our young and old, free men and
slaves, we used to take out during Allaah's Messenger's (sallallaahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins". [collected by
Muslim - English transl. vol. 2, p. 469, no. 2155]

3. SIGNIFICANCE
The significant role played by Zakaah in the circulation of wealth within
the Islamic society is also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr. However, in the
case of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much
charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in
order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a
very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich
are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in
contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of
society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic
community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not
have.

4. PURPOSE
The main purpose of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the
means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakaah
al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate
the festival of breaking the fast (`Eed al-Fitr) along with the rest of the
Muslims.

Ibn Abbaas reported, "The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made
Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their
idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadaan) and so that the
poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salaah will have it accepted as
Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah has given Sadaqah." [collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p. 421, no. 1605 - rated Saheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee]

Hence, the goal of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the
Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are
taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy
for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since
Islaam does not neglect man's material need, part of the goal of Zakaah
al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society.

5. CONDITIONS
Zakaah al-Fitr is only Waajib for a particular period of time. If one misses
the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up.
This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of
fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaah al-'Eed' (i.e.
shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior
to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahaabah (companions of the
Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) ) used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a
couple days before the `Eed.

Naafi reported that the Prophet's companion Ibn `Umar used to give it to
those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eed. [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, Vol. 2, p.339, no. 579]

Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) ordered
that it (Zakaah al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salaah (al-'Eed).

And Ibn `Abbaas reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
said, "Whoever gives it before the Salaah will have it accepted as Zakaah,
while he who gives it after the Salaah (will not, for it will only be
considered as) ordinary charity." Therefore, one who forgets to pay this
Zakaah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will
not be counted as Zakaah al-Fitr.

6. RATE
The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their different
income brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (two handfuls) of food,
grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is
based on Ibn `Umar's report that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Saa` of dried dates or a
Saa` of barley.

The Sahaabee, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to
give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or
dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]