What is Zakat ul-Fitr? Think “Iftar”, Zakat Ul-Fitr is the charity that we pay at the end of Ramadan. Here is the foundational hadith that establishes the obligation of Zakat ul-Fitr:
Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (pbuh), made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa' (a measurement: four double handfuls) of dried dates or one Saa' of barely. [Sahih Bukhari]
But unfortunately, our community makes some basic boo-boos in the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr that must be clarified.
Boo-Boo One: Paying at Eid Salah:
Some people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their Zakat ul-Fitr. No, Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer. If someone goes to Eid prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time. And thus the person paying is sinful for having missed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr. May Allah forgive us.
Boo-Boo Two: Snail mailing the money overseas:
Basic principle as before: the Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid prayer is over.
However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then Insha'Allah it’s alright.
Yes, as simple as this boo-boo is, it is HARAM to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house,
Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the youngest member is just a
few days old.
Boo-Boo Four: Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal:
Boo-Boo Four: Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal:
We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here
(think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). Zakat Al-Maal (Maal literally means
wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money – and that could be due any time
during the year depending on when it was due.
Boo-Boo Five: Giving money instead of food:
Boo-Boo Five: Giving money instead of food:
Although some scholars have allowed giving
money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to give food to
the needy of the community, NOT money.
The
Companion of the Prophet (pbuh), Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree (ra) said, “In
the Prophet’s time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food,
dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese”.
[Sahih Bukhari]
Boo-Boo Six: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project:
Boo-Boo Six: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project:
Some people mistakenly give their Zakah
Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid,
or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but
suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy
should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of recipients of
Zakah mentioned in the Quran are HUMANS, not “building projects”.
Boo-Boo Seven: Giving Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims:
Boo-Boo Seven: Giving Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims:
Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and
Muslims. However, Zakah al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the
MUSLIM poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any
needy person on the street. “Regular” charity can be given to them, but
not Zakah Al-Fitr.
Boo-Boo Eight: Delaying distribution:
Boo-Boo Eight: Delaying distribution:
Sometimes Masjids might collect Zakah
Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for
months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr
immediately when it is due.
Insha'Allah, if you have Zakah
questions, I encourage you to seek counsel from your local sources of
knowledge. People you can speak to directly. And I’ve noted some points
that have a difference of opinion, so if your local sources of knowledge tell you other than what I’ve told you but with right proof, and you trust them, then listen to them.
INSHA'ALLAH ALSO READ PREVIOUS YEARS ARTICLES ON ZAKATUL FITR:
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