Praise be to Allaah.
Definition
Zakaat al-Fitr is a kind of charity (sadaqah) that is obligatory at
the timeof breaking the fast of Ramadaan. The word zakaat is connected
by idaafah (genitive structure in Arabic grammar) to fitr because the
occasion of breaking the fast is the reason why this zakaat becomes
obligatory.
Reasons for zakaat al-fitr and what Islamsays about it
Ibn 'Abbaas said: "TheMessenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr obligatory as a means of
purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to
feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted
zakaat,and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of
charity (sadaqah)."
(Reported by Abu Dawood, 1371. Al-Nawawi said: Abu Dawood reported it
from Ibn 'Abbaas with a hasan isnaad).
"Purifying" means purifying the soul of the one who has fasted
Ramadaan. With regard to the word "foul language", Ibn al-Atheer said:
" 'Foul language' refers to obscene speech. 'Feeding [the poor]'
refers to food that is edible. 'Whoever paysit before the prayer'
means before Salaat al-'Eid. 'It is an accepted zakaat' – here zakaat
means sadaqat al-fitr. 'Just a kind of charity' means a kind of
charity that could be given at any time."
( 'Awn al-Ma'bood Sharh Abi Dawood ).
It was said that this is what was meant by the aayah in Soorat
al-A'laa (interpretation of the meaning): "But those will prosper who
purify themselves, and glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and
(lift their hearts) in Prayer." [al-A'laa 87:14-15 – Yusuf Ali's
translation] . It was reported that 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Azeez
andAbu'l-'Aaliyah said: "He [the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him)] paid zakaat al-fitr then he went out for the
prayer – i.e., Salaat al-'Eid.
(Al-Jassaas, Ahkaam al-Qur'aan , part 3, Soorat al-A'laa ).
Wakee' ibn al-Jarraahsaid: "Zakaat al-fitr for the month of Ramadaan
is like twosajdahs of sahw for the prayer. It makes up for any
shortcomings in the fast as the prostrations make upfor any
shortcomings in the prayer."
(Al-Nawawi, al-Majmoo' , part 6).
Rulings on zakaat al-fitr
The correct view is that it is fard (obligatory), because Ibn 'Umar
said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) made zakaat al-fitr obligatory," and because of the consensus of
the scholars (ijmaa') that it is fard.
( Al-Mughni , part 2, Baab Sadaqat al-Fitr ).
When it has to be given
It becomes obligatorywhen the sun sets on the last day of Ramadaan.
Anyone who gets married, has a baby born to him or becomes Muslim
before the sun sets on that day, has to give zakaat al-fitr [on behalf
of himself and/or his new wife or new baby], but if that happens after
sunset, he does not have to give it… Whoever dies after sunset on the
night of fitr, sadaqat al-fitr must be given on his behalf. This is
what Ahmad stated."
( Al-Mughni , part 2, Fasl Waqt Wujoob Zakaat al-Fitr ).
Who is obliged to payit?
1. Zakaat al-fitr is obligatory on Muslims. Ibn 'Umar (may Allaah be
pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah beupon him) made zakaat al-fitr, one saa' of dates or one
saa' of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and
female, young and old."
(Al-Bukhaari, 1407)
· Al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: �The hadeeth of
Naafi� indicates that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) made it obligatory only on the Muslims, which isin
accordance with the Book of Allaah, may He be glorified, because He
has made zakaat as a purification for the Muslims, and purification
can only be for the Muslims.�
( Al-Umm , part2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr ).
· It is obligatory on those who are able topay it. Al-Shaafa'i said:
�Everyone who, at the beginning of Shawwaal, has enough food for
himself and those whom he is supporting, for that day, and has enough
to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of them and himself, should give it
on behalf of them and himself. If he only has enough to give on behalf
of some of them, then he should give on behalf of some of them. If he
only has enough for himself and those whom he is supporting, then heis
not obliged to give zakaat al-fitr on his own behalf or on behalf of
those whom he is supporting."
( Al-Umm , part 2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr ).
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