By Shaykh Abu Bakr Jabir al-Jaza'iry
From the Book Minhaj al-MuslimVolume 2, published by Dar-us-Salam publications
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Its Ruling:->
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Zakat-ul-Fitr is a Sunnah that is obligatory upon every individual
Muslim. This is due to Ibn 'Umar's statement, may Allah be pleased
with him:
"The Messenger of Allah made Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory during Ramadhan
as one Sa' of dried dates or one Sa' of barley upon the slave and the
free man, the male andthe female, and the young and the old of the
Muslims." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Its Wisdom
From the wisdom of Zakat-ul-Fitr is that it purifies thefasting soul
from the effects of useless, non-beneficial speech (or acts) and
obscene speech (or behavior). Likewise, it keeps the poor and needy
people from having to begon the day of 'Eid.
Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of
Allah made Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory as a purificationfor the fasting
person fromuseless, non-beneficial speech (or acts) and obscene speech
(or behavior), and as a means of feeding the poor." (Abu Dawud and Ibn
Majah, andit was graded Sahih by Al-Hakim). [1]
The Prophet saws also said:
Keep them (the poor) fromhaving to beg on this day. (Al-Bayhaqi - and
its chain of narration is weak)
The Amount and Type of Food
The amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr is a Sa' and a Sa' is four Amdad (cupped
handfuls). It is given from the usual staple foods of the people of
the land, whether it is wheat, or barley, or dried dates, or rice, or
raisins or cheese. This is due to the statement of Abu Sa'id (may
Allah be pleased withhim):
"When the Messenger of Allah was among us, we used to give
Zakat-ul-Fitr on behalf of every person, young and old, free or owned
(i.e. a slave), as a Sa' of Ta'am, [2]or a Sa' of cheese (dried milk)
or a Sa'of barley or a Sa' of dried dates, or a Sa' of raisins."
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
It is Only given from items of Food
It is obligatory that Zakat-ul-Fitr be given from the types of food.
Money should not be given in place of it, except if there is a
pressing need to do so.This is because it is not confirmed that the
Prophet gave money for it in place of food. It has not even been
reported from the Companions that they gave money (for Zakat-ul-Fitr).
Its Time
Zakat-ul-Fitr becomes obligatory with the coming of the night of the
'Eid (i.e. the night before the 1st of Shawwal). It is to be paid a
day or two before the day of the 'Eid, as Ibn 'Umar used to do, and
the time of giving generosity, which is from the time Fajr comes in on
the day of the 'Eid until just before the prayer (Salat-ul-'Eid). This
is due to the Prophet's saws command that Zakat-ul-Fitr be given
before the people come out to the prayer. Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be
pleased with him, said:
"The Messenger of Allah made Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory as a
purificationfor the fasting person fromuseless, non-beneficial speech
(or acts) and obscene speech (or behavior), and as a means of feeding
the poor. So whoever gives it before the prayer (Salat-ul-'Eid), then
it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever gives it after the prayer
(Salat-ul-'Eid), then it is a form of charity (Sadaqah)." (It has been
mentioned previously.)
The time of making it up (i.e. paying it late) is after the 'Eid
prayer and anytime thereafter. Zakat-ul-Fitr may be given during this
time (followingthe prayer) and it is acceptable, however it is
disliked (to give it late). ...
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