Zakat al-Fitr Obligatory Charity for Muslims During Ramadan

The Spiritual and Social Importance of Giving during Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan commences, many Muslims begin to wonder about the amount of Zakat al-Fitr they are obliged to provide. Zakat al-Fitr, also known as Sadaqah al-Fitr, is a specific type of charity required from every Muslim before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, to be paid in designated channels. This obligation is supported by narrations such as the Hadith of Ibn Abbas, which states that the Messenger of Allah prescribed Zakat al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from empty and obscene talk, and as food for the poor (transmitted by Abu Dawud). 

Zakat al-Fitr has two wisdoms: first, to purify the fasting person from any vain or obscene talk that occurred during the month of Ramadan; and second, to provide sustenance to the poor during the Eid. These objectives align with the main purposes of Islamic law, which includes enriching the poor and fostering social cohesion and solidarity among members of society.

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim, male or female, young or old, free or slave; and those who possess wealth beyond their needs and the needs of their dependents on the day of Eid. This obligation is supported by narrations such as the Hadith of Ibn Umar, which states that the Prophet enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on both young and old, free and slave, male and female among the Muslims, and commanded that it be paid before the people went out to offer the Eid prayer (transmitted by Bukhari and Muslim).

Zakat al-Fitr should only be given to the poor and needy who do not possess enough to meet their needs on the day of Eid, as mentioned in the narration of Ibn Abbas, which states that it is to be given to the poor (transmitted by Abu Dawud). As for the other six categories of Zakat, they are not eligible to receive Zakat al-Fitr unless they are also poor or needy.

The amount of Zakat al-Fitr specified by the Prophet is one saa' of food, which is equivalent to 2.040 kg. The Prophet measured the saa' with good barley, which weighed two kilograms and forty grams, and this is the amount specified for Zakat al-Fitr. If we were to estimate the monetary value of this amount based on the price of staple foods such as flour or rice, it would be approximately $10 per person.

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr should be given on the day of Eid before the Eid prayer, and it is permissible to give it to the messenger a day or two before that. It is not permissible to delay it after the prayer, and it does not fulfill the obligation if given after that. This practice is supported by narrations such as the Hadith of Ibn Umar, which states "The Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the giving of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr to be before the Eid prayer." (Agreed upon). This is because it is one of the rites of Eid and its purpose is to purify the fasting person after the month of Ramadan and to make the poor happy on their Eid.

As for the permissibility of giving it to the messenger a day or two before Eid, Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "People used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the `Id." (Sahih Al-Bukhari). Nafi' reported that this giving was for the worker. (Muwatta Malik and Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah).

As for it not being valid after Eid prayer, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prescribed the sadaqah (alms) relating to the breaking of the fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. If anyone pays it before the prayer (of 'Id), it will be accepted as zakat. If anyone pays it after the prayer, that will be a sadaqah like other sadaqahs (alms)." (Sunan Abi Dawud). This means that it will not be accepted as Zakat.

Some mistakes that Muslims may make when giving Zakat-ul-Fitr:

First: Delaying the giving of Zakat-ul-Fitr until its time has passed, like giving it after Eid prayer, while it is obligatory to give it before Eid prayer. Abu Dawud narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prescribed the sadaqah (alms) relating to the breaking of the fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. If anyone pays it before the prayer (of 'Id), it will be accepted as zakat. If anyone pays it after the prayer, that will be a sadaqah like other sadaqahs (alms)."

Second: Some people may have a child born before sunset on the night of Eid, but they do not give Zakat-ul-Fitr for him, even though it is obligatory. Zakat-ul-Fitr is due at sunset on the night of Eid, unlike if the child is born after sunset, in which case it is not obligatory to give Zakat-ul-Fitr for him. Some of the companions have been reported to give it for the fetus in their mother's womb, and this is recommended but not obligatory.

Third: It is also a mistake to burden people beyond what is required of them. The required amount is one Sa' of the staple food of the country, and the intended Sa' is the prophetic Sa', which is equivalent to two kilograms and forty grams of good barley. As for the weight of other types of food, such as wheat, dates, or raisins, it is appropriate to consult Islamic scholars.

Fourth: Some people believe that if they missed the opportunity to give charity at its prescribed time due to circumstances beyond their control, then they are not responsible for it. However, the correct opinion is that they should still give the charity even if it's past its due time.

Fifth: Some people think that Zakat al-Fitr (charity given at the end of Ramadan) can only be given in the form of wheat, dates, or barley. However, some scholars, both past and present, have allowed it to be given in the form of cash, as long as the value is equivalent to those commodities. This may be more beneficial for the poor.

Sixth: Giving charity in a manner that reflects the desire to get rid of it rather than doing it sincerely. This can result in giving the charity to someone who may not necessarily be in need, without verifying their circumstances. The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to provide for the poor and needy so that they can celebrate the holiday and share in the joy with those who are more fortunate.