the Quran tells us that each and every constituent of creation near or
far, seenor unseen, animate or inanimate - worships The True and
Only God. " Indeed, every being in the heavens and the earth but
comesto the All-Merciful as a worshipper." [Quran; 19: 93] It is only
human beings, then, that are called upon to voluntarily join in the
wonderful symphony of worshipful creation.
Islam's five pillars are the cornerstones upon whichwe build such an
outstanding and worshipful life. But no such establishment of a
dignified life of faith on earth, either personally or socially, can
take placewithout one essential pillar that represents the
intersection of our professed convictions and our practical lives.
Zakaah is that pillar, for itis the primary instrumentthat Allaah has
placed at our disposal to spirituallyand socially uplift every Muslim
and the entirety of our community and thereby to assert a benevolent
hand for the commonweal of humanity. Among Zakaah's most blessed
manifestations - and certainly its most widespread - is the obligatory
annual giving of the Zakaatul-Fitr charity, before the solemnizing of
Ramadhaan by 'Eed prayer.
The Overarching Meaning of Zakaah
The Arabic word 'Zakaah'means 'purity,' 'cleansing,' 'wholesomeness,'
and 'integrity' (in both their physical and moral senses). It means,
also, 'growth' or 'increase.' Understanding these linguistic meanings
helpsour proper appreciation of what Zakaah is as a financial, or
fiduciary ritemandated by Allaah. For, indeed, each of these senses
finds its native expression in Zakaah's correct function in our lives
and in our local communities and societies. It is known alsoby the
term Sadaqatul-Fitr, or the Sincere, or Righteous Charity of Fast
Breaking, because it testifies to one's sincerityto Allaah and his or
her righteousness in seeking to comply with Allaah's legislation, or
SanctionedLaws and legislations.
Zakaah's primary goal is not that of simple"charity." Allaah has
instituted other mechanisms for this purpose. Rather, Zakaah is much
farther seeing and reaching. Its objective is to secure the
psycho-spiritual well-being of every single Muslim as an individual
servant of Allaah, and to safeguard the socio-moral welfare of the
entire Muslim nation.
The reason that the objectives of Zakaah are so profound and sweeping
is that its principle is so universally sound and materially decisive.
Zakaah is the incumbent giving of wealth, in all its material
manifestations, from all those who have it (and this is its
comprehensive aspect) to all those whose need gives them aright to a
minimally dignifying sum from it—and this is its deeper significance.
For it meansthat Allaah has chosen to invest the wealth of someof us,
for lawful increase, with others among us as a trust that must be
conveyed to its rightful beneficiaries, if our own holdings are to
remain pure and our societies are to have integrity.
What is, indeed, so profound about this is that it underscores to
humanity that all of its wealth, in fact, is disbursed to it on loan
from Allaah, who, as the Creator, is the sole Ownerof life and all
that the living possess. Allaah has revealed this pillar of faith to
every believing community in history. ButHe has expanded it into an
inclusive, highly systematized institution enjoined upon all who would
follow Islam.
The Sum of Zakaat al-Fitr
Originally, the stated amount of Zakaatul-Fitr was a Saa' of dates, or
barley, or wheat. A Saa' was a "goblet," or drinking utensil, at the
time of the Prophet . There have been periodicinquiries by Muslim
scholars (like the well-known investigationby Abu Yoosuf, the great
Hanafi scholar) to determine updated weight-and-measure equivalents to
that of theof Saa' at the time of the Prophet . There is some minimal
discrepancy, or difference, in determining this weight based upon the
conversion of quantities of varying items (dates and wheat, for
example) into a unified measure. Thus a Saa' is now estimated to be
equal to anywhere from 2.176 to 2.25 kilograms, or just under 5 lbs.
There is, however, an opinion in the Hanafi school of jurisprudence
with regard to determining the correct amount of Zakaatul-Fitr that
specifies a half a Saa'of harvested wheat grainor its flour, but one
full Saa' for items such as barley, dates, and raisins.However, this
was based on the availability, or scarcity, of these items at the time
this opinion emerged. Hence, the price of the staple items by which
Zakaatul-Fitr is determined must be reconsidered in contemporary
circumstances to the advantage of the Zakaat-Fitr recipients.
The classical Maaliki, Shaafi'ee and Hanbali positions on the type of
Zakaatul-Fitr offering discusses payment only interms of weights and
measures of provisions, or foodstuffs. It is the Hanafi opinion,
however,that holds sway in this matter, which states that Muslims may
give the price of Zakaatul-Fitr, originally determined forgrains and
dates, in contemporary currency equivalents. They argue this position
on the basis of a higher good or morepracticable benefit, saying that
money enables the needy personto buy what he or she deems to be most
desirable or necessary onthe day of 'Eed. They point out that a person
may, for example, not be in need of a provision of corn, or the like,
but rather in want of clothing, or meat, etc.
Who is liable for the Zakaat al-FitrPayment
As we have noted previously, every Muslim is liable for the payment of
Zakatu-Fitr, provided food exists for one, and one's dependents, for
'Eed eve and the following day. Knowing now what a Saa' is, in terms
of its contemporary weight equivalents, we can be more exact in
defining who is liable to make the Zakaatul-Fitr payment. Every
Muslim, whether rich or poor, who possesses (or has stored on his
behalf) grains, or similar foodstuffs - or themonetary means of
achieving the like of this - sufficient for one's sustenance, and that
of one's dependents for a full night and day, must give Zakaatul-Fitr.
This sum is due not per household, but per person. The Prophet said:
"Give Zakaatul-Fitr on behalf of [all your] dependents" [Al-Bayhaqi],
for he indicated that Zakatul-Fitr would purify the wealth of the rich
and bethe cause of Allaah givingmore to the poor than what they have
given. Thus whoever meets the feeding requirements forhis or her
family must pay the Zakaatul-Fitr payment for each and every household
member.
The Shaafi'ee and the Hanbali schools of jurisprudence state that
aMuslim should give the Zakaatul-Fitr payment on behalf of him - or
herself and on behalf of every single person under his or her
care—including one's wife; children (even if they are older but still
dependent, or ineligible to make the payment according to
Zakaatul-Fitr requirements); parents (ifthey are poor or dependent);
and any others who are established dependents of the household (such
asfoster children, orphans, *- visit for usefull, Islamic & General
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