|
Zakat Al-Fitr and Eid
Islam is a religion of unity. Believers are united in all acts of worship, regardless of difference 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. 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.) 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 £3.50 to £4.00 is equivalent in value to Sa’a and is due
on each person. And Allah knows the best. 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.) The Prophet sallaallahu `alayhe
wa sallam, used to take his wives and daughters to the two Eids. Umm
Atiyah said: "We were ordered to go out with the single and
menstruating women to the two Eids in order to witness the good and
the supplications of the Muslims. The menstruating women though
would stay away from the prayer area." (Related by al-Bukhari and
Muslim) Since Eid al-Fitr is the day on
which Muslims break their Ramadhan fast, it is preferable to eat
before going to the Eid prayer. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet,
sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, to eat an odd number of dates before
going to pray Salat al-Eid. Anas reported: "The Prophet, sallaallahu
`alayhe wa sallam, would not go out on the day of Eid al-Fitr
without eating an odd number of dates."(Related by al-Bukhari.) Takbeer starts from the night of Eid's eve until the Imam comes out to start the prayer. Allah says (S2 A185): "You should complete the prescribed period and then you should glorify Allah (i.e., say Takbeer) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him." The form of takbeer is related by `Umar and Ibn Mas`ud: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La illaha illallah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-hamd." - Congratulating each other:
|
