Zakaat Al Fitr
Ibn Abbas said, ‘The Messenger of Allah enjoined Zakaat Al-Fitr for the one who fasts to shield oneself from any indecent act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food to the needy.’ (sunan of abu dawood; suna of nasaa’ee; sunan of ibn maajah)
Zakaat Al Fitr or Sadaqat Al Fitr is the compulsory charity that is given at the end of Ramadaan. The word Zakaat always refers to obligatory charity whereas the word Sadaqat can imply either voluntary or compulsory charity depending on the context it is used. However the word Sadaqat Al Fitr is synonymous with Zakaat Al Fitr and both terms imply the compulsory charity given at the end of Ramadaan.
The general principle with acts of worship is that we should perform them without requiring the reason for their legislation for Allah is Al Hakeem and He only legislates that which is pleasing to Him and good for the believers. However at times Allah makes it known why He has ordained a certain ritual and Zakaat Al Fitr serves two specific purposes. Although it may be apparent that one of its benefits is to help the poor and needy there is another benefit which Allah has made manifest, which otherwise could never have been known to us. Zakaat Al Fitr is a specific expiation for our sins committed during the fasts of Ramadaan when our tongues and limbs may have slipped. How vast is the Mercy of Allah Who showers us with numerous favors, giving us opportunities to achieve goodness and expiate evil time after time again.
Every Muslim pays Zakat Al Fitr
Ibn Umar narrated, ‘Allah's Messenger enjoined the payment of one Saa' of dates or one Saa' of barley as Zakaat Al Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)
Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah made Zakaat Al Fitr at the end of Ramadaan obligatory upon every Muslim, whether a freeman or slave, male or female, (muwatta of maalik)
Every Muslim must pay Zakat Al Fitr irrespective of whether the Muslim is a freeman or slave; young or old; male or female. However all obligations are based upon ability and only those who can afford it must pay.
Nafi (freed slave of Ibn Umar) narrated, ‘Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqat Al Fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)
It is the duty of the head of the household to make sure Zakat Al Fitr is paid on behalf of all his Muslim dependents whether children or slaves. Similarly a guardian who is looking after a Muslim orphan pays Zakaat Al Fitr on behalf of the orphan under his care.
In contrast if a person has children who are grown adults and financially independent, then the children pay Zakaat Al Fitr out of their own wealth for they are no longer financially dependent on their parents. Also if someone wants to send Zakaat Al Fitr to a different country then they must ensure that the Zakaat is taken from their own wealth and not the wealth of those being entrusted to dispatch it such as close relatives or friends.
Zakaat Al Fitr is paid at a specific time
Ibn Umar said, ‘The Prophet ordered the people to pay Zakaat Al Fitr before going to the Eid prayer.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet said, ‘If one pays Zakaat Al Fitr before the Salaat it is accepted as Zakaat. If it is paid after the Salaat it is Sadaqat.’ (sunan of abu dawood; sunan of nasaa’ee; sunan of ibn maajah)
Zakaat Al Fitr becomes due after sunset of the last day of Ramadaan. And it is clear from the evidences that Zakaat Al Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer otherwise it will not be considered as Zakaat and will only be considered as voluntary Sadaqat.
Abdullah ibn Umar used to send Zakaat Al Fitr to the one in charge of its collection two or three days before the day of breaking the fast. (muwatta of maalik)
Naafi (freed slave of Ibn Umar) narrated, ‘Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqat Al Fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give Sadaqat Al Fitr (even) a day or two before the Eid.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)
It is also important to note that some of the companions, such as Ibn Umar, who were narrating hadeeth of the Prophet concerning the payment of Zakaat Al Fitr before Eid prayer, were themselves paying it a few days before the end of Ramadaan. This shows the Fiqh of the Sunna as understood by them. In addition although Naafi was the freed slave of Ibn Umar who knew the practices of Ibn Umar intimately, he clearly stated that the practice of paying Zakat Al Fitr a few days before Eid was not restricted to Ibn Umar. Rather ‘people’ used to give Sadaqat Al Fitr a day or two before the Eid. So Zakaat Al Fitr is paid at the end of Ramadaan with the period defined as a few days before the end of Ramadaan to the time just before Eid Prayer.
Zakaat Al Fitr is paid as Food
Abdullah bin 'Umar said, ‘The Prophet ordered the giving of one Saa' of dates or one Saa' of barley as Zakaat Al Fitr.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)
Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah stipulated it as a Saa' of dates or a Saa' of barley. (muwatta of maalik)
Zakaat Al Fitr has to be paid as Food and not money. This is clear from the evidences and practices of our Prophet and his companions. The amount of food to be paid is equal to one Saa’ which is a measure of volume, namely four cupped handfuls of food with one cupped handful defined as the amount of food contained when two hands are brought together.
Abu Sa'eed Al Khudri said, ‘We used to give Zakaat of Fitr as one saa' of grain, or one saa' of barley or one saa' of dates, or one saa' of cheese or one saa' of raisins.’ (saheeh of muslim)
Although there are several narrations which mention only dates and barley, the collective evidences show that the companions used to pay Zakaat Al Fitr with grains, dates, cheese and raisins. These are all valid options and all grains are included.
Abu Saeed Al-Khudri said, ‘In the lifetime of Allah's Messenger we used to give one Saa' of food as Sadaqat Al Fitr. Our food used to be either of barley, raisins, cheese or dates.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)
However it is important to note that the companions mentioned food items that were available to them in their lands. In the above narration Abu Saeed Al Khudri described the food of his land to be barley, raisins, cheese or dates. Due to this, the scholars have stated that any kind of food that is available in ones land can be given.
Zakat is given to the poor
Ibn 'Abbas said, ‘The Messenger of Allah enjoined Zakat Al-Fitr for the one who fasts to shield oneself from any indecent act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food to the poor and needy.’ (sunan of abu dawood; suna of nasaa’ee; sunan of ibn maajah)
There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars as to the recipients of Zakaat Al Fitr with some including all recipients of Zakaat and others restricting it to the poor and needy based on the above hadeeth.
Although it is permissible to give Zakaat Al Fitr to somebody else to dispatch, care must be taken that the person assigned is trustworthy. It is not righteousness to give the responsibility to organizations or individuals whose trustworthiness is not known, even more so in our time when the Amaanah is ever departing the hearts of the Muslims. So a person sends money to a trustworthy Muslim overseas and the person receiving the money buys food with it. He then distributes the food to the poor within the legislated period of time.
We ask Allah to protect our fasts during Ramadaan and expiate any wrongdoings during them by accepting our Zakaat Al Fitr.
Written by Kamillah Khan
