ZAKAAT AL-FITR AND BENEFITS &
EID FITR
ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
https://web.facebook.com/abba.abana
emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; abba.abana@gmail.com
SATURDAY 9th RAJAB 1440 AH- 16th MARCH
2019 CE
(PART 11 OF 11: ZAKAAT AL-FITR AND BENEFITS)
(ZAKAAT AL-FITR & EID FITR 1 of 3)
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu
Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.
Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with
Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah
guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can
guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that
Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) is His slave and Messenger.
PREAMBLE
Zakaat Al-Fitr And Benefits &
Eid Fitr
CONTENTS
ON ZAKAT FITR
1. Definition
2. Reasons
for zakaat al-fitr and what Islam says about it
3. Rulings
on zakaat al-fitr
4. When
it has to be given
5. Who
is obliged to pay it?
6. Ruling on
zakaat al-fitr and how much is to be paid
7.
Zakaat al-Fitr is food, not money, and it is to be
given to needy Muslims only
8. Where to
pay zakaat al-fitr
2.1 Definition
Zakaat al-Fitr is a kind of charity (sadaqah) that is obligatory at the time of breaking the fast of Ramadaan. The word zakaat is connected by idaafah (genitive structure in Arabic grammar) to fitr because the occasion of breaking the fast is the reason why this zakaat becomes obligatory.
2.2 Reasons for zakaat al-fitr and what Islam says about it
Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Messenger of Allaah [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted zakaat, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of charity (sadaqah).” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 1371. Al-Nawawi said: Abu Dawood reported it from Ibn ‘Abbaas with a hasan isnaad).
“Purifying” means purifying the soul of the one who has fasted Ramadaan. With regard to the word “foul language”, Ibn al-Atheer said: “ ‘Foul language’ refers to obscene speech. ‘Feeding [the poor]’ refers to food that is edible. ‘Whoever pays it before the prayer’ means before Salaat al-‘Eid. ‘It is an accepted zakaat’ – here zakaat means sadaqat al-fitr. ‘Just a kind of charity’ means a kind of charity that could be given at any time.” (‘Awn al-Ma’bood Sharh Abi Dawood).
It was said that this is what was meant by the aayah in Soorat al-A’laa (interpretation of the meaning): “But those will prosper who purify themselves, and glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in Prayer.” [al-A’laa 87:14-15 – Yusuf Ali’s translation]. It was reported that ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez and Abu’l-‘Aaliyah said: “He [the Prophet [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] paid zakaat al-fitr then he went out for the prayer – i.e., Salaat al-‘Eid. (Al-Jassaas, Ahkaam al-Qur’aan, part 3, Soorat al-A’laa).
Wakee’ ibn al-Jarraah said: “Zakaat al-fitr for the month of Ramadaan is like two sajdahs of sahw for the prayer. It makes up for any shortcomings in the fast as the prostrations make up for any shortcomings in the prayer.” (Al-Nawawi, al-Majmoo’, part 6).
2.3 Rulings on Zakaat Al-Fitr
The correct view is that it is fard (obligatory), because Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allaah [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr obligatory,” and because of the consensus of the scholars (ijmaa’) that it is fard. (Al-Mughni, part 2, Baab Sadaqat al-Fitr).
2.4 When it has to be given
It becomes obligatory when the sun sets on the last day of Ramadaan. Anyone who gets married, has a baby born to him or becomes Muslim before the sun sets on that day, has to give zakaat al-fitr [on behalf of himself and/or his new wife or new baby], but if that happens after sunset, he does not have to give it… Whoever dies after sunset on the night of fitr, sadaqat al-fitr must be given on his behalf. This is what Ahmad stated.” (Al-Mughni, part 2, Fasl Waqt Wujoob Zakaat al-Fitr).
2.5 Who is obliged to pay it?
1. Zakaat al-fitr is obligatory on Muslims. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407)
2. Al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The hadeeth of Naafi’ indicates that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made it obligatory only on the Muslims, which is in accordance with the Book of Allaah, may He be glorified, because He has made zakaat as a purification for the Muslims, and purification can only be for the Muslims.” (Al-Umm, part2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr).
3. It is obligatory on those who are able to pay it. Al-Shaafa'i said: “Everyone who, at the beginning of Shawwaal, has enough food for himself and those whom he is supporting, for that day, and has enough to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of them and himself, should give it on behalf of them and himself. If he only has enough to give on behalf of some of them, then he should give on behalf of some of them. If he only has enough for himself and those whom he is supporting, then he is not obliged to give zakaat al-fitr on his own behalf or on behalf of those whom he is supporting.” (Al-Umm, part 2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr).
4. Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The one who is in financial difficulty is not obliged to give [zakaat al-fitr]; there is no difference among the scholars in this regard… The obligation is determined by whether or not a person can afford it. Whoever has one saa’ more than he needs for himself and those whom he is obliged to support on the night and day of Eid, has enough [is not in financial difficulty]. Whoever does not have anything more than he needs is in financial difficulty, so he is not obliged to pay anything in this case. (Al-Majmoo’, part 6, Shuroot Wujoob Sadaqat al-Fitr).
5. The Muslim should give on his own behalf and on behalf of those on whom he spends, such as wives and relatives, if they cannot give it on their own behalf. If they are able to, it is better for them to give it themselves, because the command is addressed to them in the first place.
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old, and commanded that it should be given before the people went out to pray.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407)
Al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The guardian of the insane and the minor should give zakaat al-fitr on their behalf and on behalf of those for whom they [the insane and minor] may be responsible, just as the sane person should give on his own behalf… If there is a kaafir among those whom he is supporting, he does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on his behalf, because he cannot be purified by zakaah.” (Al-Umm, part 2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr).
The author of al-Muhadhdhab said: “Al-Musannif (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: ‘If someone has to pay zakaat al-fitr on his own behalf and on behalf of those whom he is supporting, if they are Muslim and if has more than he needs to spend on them that he can give, then the mother and father, and grandparents and great-grandparents, etc., may have to pay zakaat al-fitr on behalf of their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, etc., and the children may have to pay zakaat al-fitr on behalf of their parents and grandparents and great-grandparents, etc., – if they are obliged to spend on their maintenance. (Al-Majma’, part 6).
A man has to pay on behalf of himself and his wife – even if she has money of her own – and his children and parents if they are poor, and his daughter if she is married but the marriage has not yet been consummated. If his son is rich, he does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on his behalf. A husband has to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a divorced wife whose divorce (talaaq) is not yet final (i.e., she is still in the ‘iddah of a first or second talaaq), but not in the case of a rebellious wife or one whose divorce is final. A son does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a poor father’s wife because he is not obliged to spend on her.
[When giving zakaat al-fitr], one should start with the closest people first, so he gives it on behalf of himself, then his wife, then his children, then the rest of his relatives in order of closeness, following the pattern laid out in the rules governing inheritance.
Al-Shaafa'i, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “Who I say is obliged to give zakaat al-fitr, if a child is born to him, or he takes possession of a slave, or someone becomes one of his dependents, at any time during the last day of Ramadaan, then the suns sets on the night of the crescent of Shawwaal, he has to give zakaat al-fitr on that person’s behalf.” (Al-Umm, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr al-Thaani).
It is not obligatory to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a foetus that is still in the mother’s womb, but if this is done voluntarily, there is nothing wrong with it.
If someone who is obliged to give zakaat al-fitr dies before giving it, it must be given from his estate… even if the person who was supporting him also dies, the obligation still stands. (Al-Mughni, part 2).
If a servant has set wages that are paid to him daily or monthly, the employer does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on his behalf, because he is a hired worker, and one is not obliged to spend on a hired worker. (al-Mawsoo’ah, 23/339).
Concerning giving zakaat al-fitr on behalf of an orphan, Imaam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The guardian should give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of the orphans some of whose wealth is under his control, even if they are minors.” (Al-Mudawwanah, part 1).
Zakaat al-Fitr is a kind of charity (sadaqah) that is obligatory at the time of breaking the fast of Ramadaan. The word zakaat is connected by idaafah (genitive structure in Arabic grammar) to fitr because the occasion of breaking the fast is the reason why this zakaat becomes obligatory.
2.2 Reasons for zakaat al-fitr and what Islam says about it
Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Messenger of Allaah [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted zakaat, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of charity (sadaqah).” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 1371. Al-Nawawi said: Abu Dawood reported it from Ibn ‘Abbaas with a hasan isnaad).
“Purifying” means purifying the soul of the one who has fasted Ramadaan. With regard to the word “foul language”, Ibn al-Atheer said: “ ‘Foul language’ refers to obscene speech. ‘Feeding [the poor]’ refers to food that is edible. ‘Whoever pays it before the prayer’ means before Salaat al-‘Eid. ‘It is an accepted zakaat’ – here zakaat means sadaqat al-fitr. ‘Just a kind of charity’ means a kind of charity that could be given at any time.” (‘Awn al-Ma’bood Sharh Abi Dawood).
It was said that this is what was meant by the aayah in Soorat al-A’laa (interpretation of the meaning): “But those will prosper who purify themselves, and glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in Prayer.” [al-A’laa 87:14-15 – Yusuf Ali’s translation]. It was reported that ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez and Abu’l-‘Aaliyah said: “He [the Prophet [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] paid zakaat al-fitr then he went out for the prayer – i.e., Salaat al-‘Eid. (Al-Jassaas, Ahkaam al-Qur’aan, part 3, Soorat al-A’laa).
Wakee’ ibn al-Jarraah said: “Zakaat al-fitr for the month of Ramadaan is like two sajdahs of sahw for the prayer. It makes up for any shortcomings in the fast as the prostrations make up for any shortcomings in the prayer.” (Al-Nawawi, al-Majmoo’, part 6).
2.3 Rulings on Zakaat Al-Fitr
The correct view is that it is fard (obligatory), because Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allaah [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr obligatory,” and because of the consensus of the scholars (ijmaa’) that it is fard. (Al-Mughni, part 2, Baab Sadaqat al-Fitr).
2.4 When it has to be given
It becomes obligatory when the sun sets on the last day of Ramadaan. Anyone who gets married, has a baby born to him or becomes Muslim before the sun sets on that day, has to give zakaat al-fitr [on behalf of himself and/or his new wife or new baby], but if that happens after sunset, he does not have to give it… Whoever dies after sunset on the night of fitr, sadaqat al-fitr must be given on his behalf. This is what Ahmad stated.” (Al-Mughni, part 2, Fasl Waqt Wujoob Zakaat al-Fitr).
2.5 Who is obliged to pay it?
1. Zakaat al-fitr is obligatory on Muslims. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407)
2. Al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The hadeeth of Naafi’ indicates that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made it obligatory only on the Muslims, which is in accordance with the Book of Allaah, may He be glorified, because He has made zakaat as a purification for the Muslims, and purification can only be for the Muslims.” (Al-Umm, part2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr).
3. It is obligatory on those who are able to pay it. Al-Shaafa'i said: “Everyone who, at the beginning of Shawwaal, has enough food for himself and those whom he is supporting, for that day, and has enough to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of them and himself, should give it on behalf of them and himself. If he only has enough to give on behalf of some of them, then he should give on behalf of some of them. If he only has enough for himself and those whom he is supporting, then he is not obliged to give zakaat al-fitr on his own behalf or on behalf of those whom he is supporting.” (Al-Umm, part 2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr).
4. Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The one who is in financial difficulty is not obliged to give [zakaat al-fitr]; there is no difference among the scholars in this regard… The obligation is determined by whether or not a person can afford it. Whoever has one saa’ more than he needs for himself and those whom he is obliged to support on the night and day of Eid, has enough [is not in financial difficulty]. Whoever does not have anything more than he needs is in financial difficulty, so he is not obliged to pay anything in this case. (Al-Majmoo’, part 6, Shuroot Wujoob Sadaqat al-Fitr).
5. The Muslim should give on his own behalf and on behalf of those on whom he spends, such as wives and relatives, if they cannot give it on their own behalf. If they are able to, it is better for them to give it themselves, because the command is addressed to them in the first place.
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made zakaat al-fitr, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old, and commanded that it should be given before the people went out to pray.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407)
Al-Shaafa'i (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The guardian of the insane and the minor should give zakaat al-fitr on their behalf and on behalf of those for whom they [the insane and minor] may be responsible, just as the sane person should give on his own behalf… If there is a kaafir among those whom he is supporting, he does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on his behalf, because he cannot be purified by zakaah.” (Al-Umm, part 2, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr).
The author of al-Muhadhdhab said: “Al-Musannif (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: ‘If someone has to pay zakaat al-fitr on his own behalf and on behalf of those whom he is supporting, if they are Muslim and if has more than he needs to spend on them that he can give, then the mother and father, and grandparents and great-grandparents, etc., may have to pay zakaat al-fitr on behalf of their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, etc., and the children may have to pay zakaat al-fitr on behalf of their parents and grandparents and great-grandparents, etc., – if they are obliged to spend on their maintenance. (Al-Majma’, part 6).
A man has to pay on behalf of himself and his wife – even if she has money of her own – and his children and parents if they are poor, and his daughter if she is married but the marriage has not yet been consummated. If his son is rich, he does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on his behalf. A husband has to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a divorced wife whose divorce (talaaq) is not yet final (i.e., she is still in the ‘iddah of a first or second talaaq), but not in the case of a rebellious wife or one whose divorce is final. A son does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a poor father’s wife because he is not obliged to spend on her.
[When giving zakaat al-fitr], one should start with the closest people first, so he gives it on behalf of himself, then his wife, then his children, then the rest of his relatives in order of closeness, following the pattern laid out in the rules governing inheritance.
Al-Shaafa'i, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “Who I say is obliged to give zakaat al-fitr, if a child is born to him, or he takes possession of a slave, or someone becomes one of his dependents, at any time during the last day of Ramadaan, then the suns sets on the night of the crescent of Shawwaal, he has to give zakaat al-fitr on that person’s behalf.” (Al-Umm, Baab Zakaat al-Fitr al-Thaani).
It is not obligatory to give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of a foetus that is still in the mother’s womb, but if this is done voluntarily, there is nothing wrong with it.
If someone who is obliged to give zakaat al-fitr dies before giving it, it must be given from his estate… even if the person who was supporting him also dies, the obligation still stands. (Al-Mughni, part 2).
If a servant has set wages that are paid to him daily or monthly, the employer does not have to give zakaat al-fitr on his behalf, because he is a hired worker, and one is not obliged to spend on a hired worker. (al-Mawsoo’ah, 23/339).
Concerning giving zakaat al-fitr on behalf of an orphan, Imaam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The guardian should give zakaat al-fitr on behalf of the orphans some of whose wealth is under his control, even if they are minors.” (Al-Mudawwanah, part 1).
2.6 Zakaat al-fitr and how much is to be paid[1]
Sadaqat al-fitr is obligatory
upon every Muslim who is self-supporting, if he has one saa’ or more than he
needs of food for himself and his family on the day and night of Eid.
The basis for that is the
report narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: “The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat
al-fitr, a saa’ of dates, or a saa’ of barley, upon all the Muslims, slave and
free, male and female, young and old, and he commanded that it be paid before
the people went out to pray.” Agreed upon; this version was narrated by
al-Bukhaari.
And Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri
narrated: “We used to pay zakaat al-fitr when the Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was alive, a saa’ of food or a saa’ of
dates or a saa’ of barley or a saa’ of raisins or a saa’ of dried yoghurt.”
Agreed upon.
It is acceptable to give a
saa’ of the local staple food such as rice etc.
What is meant by a saa’ here
is the saa’ of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him), which is four times the amount that may be held in the two hands of a man
of average build. If a person does not pay zakaat al-fitr, he is sinning, and
he has to make it up.
With regard to the hadeeth
mentioned, we do not know whether it is saheeh or not.
2.7 Zakaat al-Fitr is food, not money, and it is to be given to needy Muslims only[2]
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be
pleased with them both) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) made giving a saa’ of dates or a saa’ of barley as Zakaat
al-Fitr an obligation for all Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young
and old, and ordered that it should be given before the people went out to pray
(Salaat al-Eid).” (Al-Bukhaari, 1503).
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: “We used to pay as Zakaat al-Fitr a saa’ of
food or a saa’ of barley (which was their food at that time) or a saa’ or dates
or a saa’ of aqit (dried yoghurt) or a saa’ of raisins.” (1506)
From this it is clear that
Zakaat al-Fitr must be food, not money, so we must adhere to what has been
recorded in the Sunnah. So give one saa’ of whatever is the staple food in your
country, such as rice or wheat, for example, on behalf of yourself and each
member of your household. (A saa’ is equivalent to approximately 3 kilograms).
It is not permissible to give it to anyone except a needy Muslim. If you cannot
find anyone in your own country, you can delegate someone else to give it on
your behalf in another country. May Allaah help us and you to do the duties
that He loves. And Allaah knows best.
2.8 Where to pay zakaat al-fitr[3]
The scholars (may Allaah be
pleased with them) stated that zakaat al-fitr is connected to numbers of
people, not money, and it is to be paid in the place where a person is on the
night before Eid.
Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughni (4/134): As for
zakaat al-fitr, it is to be paid in the land where the person from whom it is
due is present, whether his wealth is there or not. End quote.
As for paying zakaat al-fitr
in cash, we have explained above that it must be given in the form of food, and that
paying it in cash is not acceptable.
So you must try to give it in
the form of food. If the poor person refuses the food and asks for cash, then
there is nothing wrong with your giving it as cash in that case, because of
need or necessity.
We ask Allaah to give you
strength and to make our words and deeds and yours righteous.
To be
continued
Section 2 of 3, Part 11 of 11
Zakaat
Al-Fitr And Benefits & Eid Fitr
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