zakaat al fitr
Charity Ramadan

ZAKAAT AL-FITR

ZAKAAT AL-FITR

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) : In the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle, we used to give one Sa’ of food (edible things) as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (to the poor). Our food used to be either of barley, raisins (dried grapes), cottage cheese or dates. (zakaat al fitr)
[Narrated by SAHIH AL-BUKHARI: 1510]

 IS ZAKAT AL-FITR THE SAME AS ZAKAH?

No, they are different. Zakat al-Fitr must be given before the Eid Prayer and Zakah can be given at any time in the year. Zakat al-Fitr is fard on all whereas Zakah is not. Only on those who have up to a certain amount in assets and gold etc. Zakat al-Fitr is given as food, whereas Zakah is given in gold/money. Zakat al-Fitr is a fixed amount for everyone, whereas the amount of Zakah paid varies person to person. To conclude, they are not the same thing.

The purpose of Zakaat Al-Fitr :

Ibn 'Abbaas said: "The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ obligated Zakaat Al-Fitr as a purity for the fasting person from indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy."
(Abu Daawood (1609); Al-Albaani calssified it as sound (Hasan)

Zakat Al-Fitr also provides the poor with means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eid Al-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims.


It is not permissible to pay Zakaatul-Fitr in cash:

Cash in the form of Dirham and Deenaar were in use during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, yet he instructed that Zakaatul-Fitr be paid in the form of staple food (dates, raisins, barley, rice etc.)

Imaam Maalik رضي الله عنه said:

“It is not permissible for a person to replace Zakaatul-Fitr and offer its value in cash, as this was not how the Prophet ﷺ had instructed.”

HOW MUCH ZAKAT AL-FITR SHOULD EVERY MUSLIM GIVE?

In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) said: At the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) we used to give one saa’ of food, or one saa’ of dates, or one saa’ of barley, or one saa’ of raisins.
One Saa’ = 3 kilograms

Narrated Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه said:

“Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ has made Sadaqat-ul-Fitr obligatory, (and it was), either one Saa’* of barley or one Saa’ of dates (and its payment was obligatory) on young and old people, and on free men as well as on slaves.”

[ Saheehain ]

*Saa’ = 3 kgs approx.

THE MEASUREMENT OF A SA’A FOR THE ZAKAAT AL-FITR IN KILOGRAMS

SHYAKH ‘ABDUL ‘AZEEZ IBN BAAZ :

A Sa’a in today’s measurement is roughly two kilograms and two thirds, because there are five artaal to a sa’a of the Prophet jugsiesils which is [a measurement] of two full handfuls of a medium sized person, multiplied by four, as is mentioned in the encyclopedia and other places.

Therefore, if a medium sized person fills his two hands completely, this amounts to a mud, and if this is multiplied by four, it equals a Sa’a, which is just under three kilograms.

As a result, if an individual gives three kilograms [of food] he safeguards himself and has also given a sa’a for zakaat al Fitr.


zakaat al fitr

WHEN DO WE NEED TO GIVE IT?

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) commanded that it be given before the people went out to the (Eid) prayer. it is not permissible to delay it until after the Eid prayer. The companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) used to give it one or two days before Eid.

WHO CAN I GIVE ZAKAT AL-FITR TO?

The poor and needy people.

Share Now:
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments