Zakat al-Fitr
This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject.(October 2021) |
In Islam, Zakat al-Fitr (Zakat of Breaking the Fast of Ramadan), also known as Sadaqat al-Fitr (Charity of Breaking the Fast) or Zakat al-Fitrah (the Alms of Human Nature),[1][unreliable source?] is a form of alms-giving which Islam considers required of every able[verification needed] Muslim at the end of Ramadan. The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to enable poor people to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival to break the fast of Ramadan.
In Islam it is mandatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains so until the beginning of
Classification
Sadaqat al-Fitr is a duty which is considered
According to Islamic tradition (
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 Allah's Messenger's (upon whom be God's peace and blessings) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins".[3]
Significance
The significant role played by
Purpose
The main purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to provide the poor which they can celebrate the
Its purpose is:
- As a levy on the fasting person. This is based on the hadith: The Prophet of Allah 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."
- 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 Ibn `Abbas who related, “The Prophet of Allah 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.”[5]
Conditions
Zakat al-Fitr is
After the spread of Islam the
Nafi` reported that Muhammad'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 `Eid.[7]
Ibn 'Umar reported that Muhammad ordered that it (Zakat al-Fitr) be given before people go to perform the (`Eid) prayers.
One who forgets to pay this Zakat al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakat al-Fitr.
Rate
The amount of Zakat is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one sa` (four double 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 made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a sa` of dried dates or a sa` of barley. The Hanafi school permits paying Zakat al-Fitr in the form of cash, equivalent to the above amount, while this is not permitted Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools.[8] Using cash as a form of payment became the adopted position by many official fataw councils around the world.[9][10]
A companion of Mohammed, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried
The distribution of Zakat al-Fitr is the same as that of Zakat, and is included within its broader sense. Those who may receive Zakat al-Fitr are the eight categories of recipients mentioned in Surat Al-Tawbah, [9: 60]. They include:
- the poor,
- the needy,
- collectors of Zakah,
- reconciliation of hearts,
- freeing captives / slaves (fee al-Riqab),
- debtors,
- those fighting for a religious cause or a cause of God (Fī Sabīlillāh)[12] or for Jihad in the way of Allah,[13][14][15]
- the traveler.
Zakat al-Fitr must go to the above-mentioned categories. The Zakat al-mal cannot be used for any other such things either.
References
- ^ a b "What Is Zakat al-Fitr, the Special Ramadan Zakat?". Zakat Foundation of America. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 2:25:579
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 2:25:582
- ^ "Sunan Ibn Majah 1280 - Establishing the Prayer and the Sunnah Regarding Them - كتاب إقامة الصلاة والسنة فيها - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ [Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p. 421, no. 1605 - rated Sahih]
- ^ Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (2009). "Paying the Fitr". islamhouse.com.
- ^ [Bukhari - Arabic/English, Vol. 2, p.339, no. 579]
- ISBN 978-0-915957-72-9.
- ^ General Iftaa Department, Hashimate Kingdom of Jordan (April 23, 2020). "Decision 639 on Value of Zakat Al-Fitr". www.aliftaa.jo (in Arabic). Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ Dar Al Iftaa Al Missriyya, Eygpt (August 23, 2008). "Permissibility of paying Zakat al-fitr in cash". www.dar-alifta.org (in Arabic). Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ [Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]
- ISBN 978-0-253-34403-8.
- ISBN 978-1-59781-980-0.
- ISBN 978-3-8258-0718-4.
Quote: Zakat literally means that which purifies. It is a form of sacrifice which purifies worldly goods from their worldly and sometimes impure means of acquisition, and which, according to God's wish, must be channelled towards the community.
- ^ T.W. Juynboll, Handleiding tot de Kennis van de Mohaamedaansche Wet volgens de Leer der Sjafiitische School, 3rd Edition, Brill Academic, pp. 85–88
External links
- Zakat al Fitr - Zakat Fitrah Archived 2019-08-05 at the Wayback Machine