Ramadan Articles - Zakaah al-Fitr

1. MEANING
Zakaah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr
means the same as Iftaar,breaking a fast and it comes from the same
root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakaah
al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end
of the fast of Ramadaan.
2. CLASSIFICATION
Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is Waajib on every Muslim, whether
male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do
so.
The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the
Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu
`alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsoryon every slave,
freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of
dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [collected by Bukhaaree
-Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]
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 Allaah's Messenger's
(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) lifetimeone Saa` of grain, cheese or
raisins". [collected by Muslim - English transl. vol. 2, p. 469, no.
2155]
3. SIGNIFICANCE
The significant role played by Zakaah in the circulation of wealth
within the Islamic societyis also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr.
However,in the case of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to
calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and
go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity.
Thus, Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development
of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct
contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the
extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society
helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic
community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do
not have.
4. PURPOSE
The main purpose of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide those who fastedwith
the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting.
Zakaah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with whichthey can
celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eed al-Fitr) along with
the rest of the Muslims.
Ibn Abbaas reported,"The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made
Zakaah al-Fitr compulsoryso that those who fasted may be purified of
their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadaan) and so
that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salaah will have it
accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah has given
Sadaqah." [collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p. 421, no.
1605 - ratedSaheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee]
Hence, the goal of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the
Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers
are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion
(sympathy for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the
righteousness. But, since Islaam does not neglect man's material need,
partof the goal of Zakaah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the
poorer members of society.
5. CONDITIONS
Zakaah al-Fitr is only Waajib for a particular period of time. If one
misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can
not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on
the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of
Salaah al-'Eed' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day).
However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many
of the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) ) used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eed.
Naafi reported that the Prophet'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 `Eed. [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, Vol.
2, p.339, no. 579]
Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
order that it (Zakaah al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the
Salaah (al-'Eed).
And Ibn `Abbaas reportedthat the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) said,"Whoever gives it before the Salaahwill have it accepted
as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah (will not, for it
will only be considered as) ordinary charity."Therefore, one who
forgets to pay this Zakaah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as
possible even though it will not be counted as Zakaah al-Fitr.
6. RATE
The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their
different income brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (two
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(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr
compulsoryand payable by a Saa` of dried dates or a Saa` of barley.
The Sahaabee, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said,"In the Prophet's time,
weused to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates,
barley, raisins or dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree -
Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]