1437 Zakat Al-Fitr 2016
Islam is a religion of unity. Believers are united in all acts of
worship, regardless of differen ce in gender, colour, nationality or
social status. We fasted together, and we are about to feast
together. To realise that communal feast, it is necessary to help
the poor and the destitute. Hence the obligatory alms imposed not
only on rich and adults, but on relatively poor and minors
accomplish this objective. All living Muslims before sunset of last
day of Ramadan, are duty bound to pay Zakatul Fitr.
No other religion or any political system prepares its subjects for
life long charity at birth. Although it is the parents that pay on
behalf of minors, we have to teach and involve our children in
exercising this duty. I remember back home, during my childhood that
each one of us used to be given a portion of rice (SA'A) to give
out. It is practically easy and effective way to prepare children
for their spiritual responsibility. I hope this tradition is well
maintained at home and abroad. Those of us who pay Zakat Al- Fitr in
cash, can adopt this practice easily by handing the prescribed
amount of money due, to each child, and instructing them to put into
family collection, from which we can send either to Zakat funds
collected in Mosques or sent to poor relatives back home.
Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wassalam) said in a Hadith: "A person who
attributes anything to me, which I have not said, is making his
abode in the Hill." With that warning, I always leave interpretation
and explanation of Islamic concepts and principles to our scholars
who are professionally qualified to simplify every complex issue to
our benefit. That is evident in the following article which
comprehensively elucidates everything we need to know about Zakatul
Fitr. The following article is from http://www.islam.com/copied in
its entirety without any change in form or shape. May Allah accept
our fasting and make us among those he emancipated from Hell. Ameen.
ZAKATUL-FITRE AND EID
A- Zakat Al Fitr
Zakat al Fitr is an obligatory charity on every Muslim at the end of
the month of Ramadan. Ibn `Umar said: "The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe
wa sallam, enjoined the payment of one Sa'a of dates or one Sa'a of
barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and
female, free and slave." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim) The
purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to purify the one who has fasted from
any type of indecent act or speech he might have committed while
fasting. It also helps the poor and the needy. Ibn Abbas said: "The
Messenger of Allah, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, enjoined Zakat
al-Fitr on the one who fasts to shield him from any indecent act or
speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy."
(Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.)
The Amount of Zakat al-Fitr
As the first hadeeth indicated, the amount of Zakat al-Fitr is one
Sa'a. Sa'a is a volume measure corresponding approximately to the
volume of 5 lb of good wheat. The material of the Zakat can be
either dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn or similar items considered
as basic foods. Abu Saeed said: "We used to give for Zakat al-Fitr
on behalf of every child, aged person, free man or slave during the
lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam,
one Sa'a of food, or one Sa'a of dried yogurt, or one Sa'a of
barley, or one Sa'a of dates, or one Sa'a of raisins." (Related by
al-Bukhari and Muslim.) In U.K a cash payment of £4.00 is equivalent
in value to Sa'a and is due on each person. And Allah knows the
best.
The Time for Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr has to be paid by the end of Ramadhan. There are two
times to pay Zakat al-Fitr. Either one or two days before Eid as 'Umar
used to do, or the day of Eid before the Eid prayer. Ibn `Umar
reported that the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, ordered
them to pay Zakat al-Fitr before they go out to perform the Eid
prayer. If Zakat al-Fitr is paid after the Eid prayer, it will only
be considered as regular charity. The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe
wa sallam, said: "If one pays Zakat al-Fitr before the Salat, it is
considered an accepted Zakat, if he pays it after the Salat, it is
considered an ordinary charity." (Related by Abu Dawud.)
Zakat al-Fitr is to be given to the same eight categories or people
as in the other types of Zakat. Some scholars say that the poor and
the needy are the most deserving ones since the Prophet, sallaallahu
`alayhe wa sallam, said that it had "...the purpose of providing
food for the needy.
Ahmed Hassan Arwo
https://www.facebook.com/aharwo/
http://samotalis.blogspot.com/
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