Ramadan Articles - Zakat ul-Fitr

Its Ruling
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 and the female, andthe young and the old of the
Muslims." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Its Wisdom
From the wisdom of Zakat-ul-Fitr is that it purifies the fasting 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 beg on the day of 'Eid.
Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of
Allah made Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory as a purification for the fasting
person from useless, non-beneficial speech (or acts) and obscene
speech (or behavior), and as a means of feeding the poor." (Abu Dawud
and Ibn Majah, and it was graded Sahih by Al-Hakim). [1]
The Prophet saws also said:
Keep them (the poor) from having to beg on this day.(Al-Bayhaqi - and
its chain of narrationis 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 fromthe 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 with him):
"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 paida day
or two before the day of the 'Eid, as Ibn 'Umar used to do, and
thetime of giving generosity, which is fromthe 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
purification for the fasting person from useless, non-beneficial
speech (or acts) and obscene speech (or behavior), and as a means of
feeding the poor. So whoever gives itbefore 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 afterthe 'Eid prayer
and anytime thereafter. Zakat-ul-Fitr may be given during this time
(following the prayer) and it is acceptable, however it is disliked
(to give it late).
Its Recipients
The recipients of Zakat-ul-Fitr are the same as the recipients of the
general Zakat, except that the poor and the needy have more right toit
than the other people who have a share in it. This is based upon the
Prophet's statement:
Keep them from having to beg on this day.(Al-Bayhaqi and its chain of
narration is weak)
Therefore, it is not given to other than the poor, unless there are no
poor people or their poverty islight (i.e. not severe) or the need of
others besides them, who have a share in it, has become severe.
Important Notes:
1.It is permissible for a wealthy woman to pay her Zakah to her
husband, who is poor, however the opposite is not permissible. This is
because the maintenance of the woman is obligatory upon the man and
the maintenance of the man is not obligatory upon the woman.
2.Zakat-ul-Fitr is not required from one whodoes not possess a
day'sworth of food, as Allah does not burden a soul except with what
it canbear.
3.Whoever possesses more than a day's worth of food and he gives it
(as his Zakat-ul-Fitr), this will suffice him. This is due to Allah's
statement:So fear Allah as much as you are able.(64:16)
4.It is permissible to give the charity of an individual to a number
of people, distributing it among them, and it ispermissible to give
the charity of a number of individuals to one individual, as the
giving of charity is mentioned in the Shari'ah in unrestrictedterms.
5.The Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory upon the Muslim in the land in which
he resides.
6.It is not permissible to transfer Zakat-ul-Fitr from one land to
another, except if thereis a pressing need. Its Situation is the same
as Zakah.
Footnotes
1.The remainder of it states: "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 ischarity (Sadaqah) from
the charities."
2.The meaning of Ta'am is millet or corn.