Dh20 set as Zakat Al Fitr this Ramadan in UAE

Abu Dhabi - Zakat Al Fitr can be given to official organisations, like the UAE Red Crescent or Zakat Fund, which support the less fortunate.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) has fixed Dh20 per person as the amount for Zakat Al Fitr this Ramadan. It was the same amount set last year.
However, one can give more than Dh20, the GAIAE said in a statement. Every Muslim man and woman, who owns more than what he or she needs, is obligated to give Zakat Al Fitr as prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the GAIAE's Fatwa Centre explained.
It is meant not only to help those in need but also to "cleanse any 'flaw' in the faithful's fasting".
Zakat Al Fitr can be given to official organisations, like the UAE Red Crescent or Zakat Fund, which support the less fortunate.
The GAIAE Fatwa Centre pointed out that Zakat Al Fitr can be given from the first day of Ramadan and until the morning of Eid Al Fitr, "before the Eid prayer time".
The Dh20 zakat can also be contributed "in kind", like 2.2kg of rice.
Islamic researcher Dr Sheikh Mohammed Ashmawy said the set amount - four normal handfuls of dates or barley as per Sunnah - is found to weigh 2.2kg and valued at Dh20.
Another researcher, Dr Mahmoud Saleh, said Zakat Al Fitr may also be sent abroad. "One may send it to the needy or their relatives in his or her home country, or to another country's residents who are in dire need because of starvation, calamity or war," Dr Saleh said.
Older children, who are earning money yet still living with their parents, are advised to give Zakat Al Fitr on their own, or else their parents need to provide for them.
Domestic helpers should give Zakat Al Fitr, "but if given by their employers, they will be rewarded by Almighty Allah for it".
Guidelines on giving Zakat
1-One can give more than Dh20.
2-It can be given from the first day of Ramadan and until the morning of Eid Al Fitr, "before the Eid prayer time".
3-Even if one misses this period, the person still has to give the zakat after Eid "yet he or she must seek forgiveness".
4-The zakat can also be contributed in kind.
5-It can be sent to people or relatives in need abroad.
6-Older children, who are earning money yet still living with their parents, are advised to give Zakat Al Fitr on their own.
7-Parents shall also give the same for their girls who are still under their guardianship.
8-Domestic helpers should give Zakat Al Fitr, but employers can also pay it on their behalf.
9-Employers may also give the zakat to their poor Muslims helpers.
10-One should not give Zakat Al Fitr for sponsored orphans, but if given on their behalf, the person should tell their guardians.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi