Zakat Al Fitr

ZAKAT AL FITR is a duty that is wajib (required) of every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.

The significant role played by Zakat in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Zakat Al Fitr. However, in the case of Zakat 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, Zakat 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.]

The main purpose of Zakat Al Fitr is to provide the poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (Eid Al Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims.

Every Muslim is required to pay Zakat Al Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan as a token of thankfulness to God for having enabled him or her to observe the obligatory fast.

It is a levy on the fasting person. This is based on the Hadith: The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The fasting of the month of fasting will be hanging between earth and heavens and it will not be raised up to the Divine Presence without paying the Zakat Al Fitr.”

It is intended to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.

The latter view is based upon the Hadith from Syedna Ibn Abbas who related: “The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined Zakat Al Fitr on those who fast to shield them from any indecent act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the one who pays it before the Eid prayer, and it is sadaqah for the one who pays it after the prayer.” [Abu Dawood)

Margani U. Mohammad, a Filipino, who worked with the High Shari’a Court of Jeddah, writes: As the blessed month winds down, it is important to remember one of our cardinal responsibilities this month. Zakat Al Fitr. It is obligatory at this time we are bidding farewell to Ramadan. That is why the suffix Fitr is attached to it to commemorate the occasion of breaking the fast.

For the umpteenth time, a man has to pay on behalf of himself and his wife even if she has money of her own and his children and parents if they are poor, and his daughter if she is married but the marriage has not yet been consummated. If his son is rich, he does not have to give Zakat Al Fitr on his behalf. A husband has to give Zakat Al Fitr on behalf of a divorced wife whose divorce (talaaq) is not yet final (i.e., she is still in the ‘iddah of a first or second talaaq), but not in the case of one whose divorce is final.

A son does not have to give Zakat Al Fitr on behalf of a poor father’s wife because he is not obliged to spend on her.

When giving Zakat Al Fitr, one should start with the closest people first, so he gives it on behalf of himself, then his wife, then his children, then the rest of his relatives in order of closeness, following the pattern laid out in the rules governing inheritance.

It should be given on one of the foodstuff, which is commonly consumed in the society. The popular measurement of it is flour handful on behalf of one person. If it has to be given in money, although this is not encouraged but the societal demands and circumstances sometimes call for it, it has to be well calculated that the appropriate money measure is given and at the right time and according to the existing price of the desired foodstuff.

While also reminding us that we can keep the spirit of Ramadan alive every day for the next 11 months. Prayer of the day :O Allah, on this day, make my fasts worthy of acceptance, make it to be what pleases You. Our Lord, cover me with your mercy, grant me in it success and protection, for the sake of our leader, Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and his family and all his companions. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.— Special to Khaleej Times