The Muslims around the world observe the month of Ramadan by fasting who should also know about Zakat Al Fitr. Being a Muslim, it is important to understand and know certain things about Zakat Al-Fitr as it’s an obligatory duty of a Muslim.
Zakat Al-Fitr is actually a type zakat or poor due that Muslims must pay before the prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr. Zakat Al Fitr cleans the Muslims from any wrong deed or misconduct performed by them in the holy month of Ramadan. Moreover, this Zakat is given at the end of Ramadan so that everyone can observe Eid-ul-Fitr with joy and without any stress.
Zakat Al Fitr has certain other names; it is also called as Zakat Al-Badan which means the body tax. Zakat Al-Fitr is also called Zakat Al-Ra’s which means the head tax.
It is an important thing to know about Zakat Al-Fitr that who should pay it. Zakat Al-Fitr is a type of zakat that is duty upon every Muslim who is an adult and child, male and female, young and old, free and slave, if they have sufficient stuff that can be fed to them for a day or longer. The person who is head of the family can pay Zakat Al-Fitr for every single family member.
Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid to those who deserve it. In verse 60 of Surah Tawbah the groups of recipients are mentioned.
“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Surah Tawbah, Verse 60)
Zakat Al-Fitr can be paid in last few days of the month of Ramadan. Also, it must be paid before the prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr and not after it.
It is another important thing to know about Zakat Al-Fitr that what and how much should be paid in Zakat Al-Fitr. Abu Saeed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said as narrated in al-Saheehayn that, “At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), we used to give it at a rate of one saa’ of food, or one saa’ of dates, or one saa’ of barley, or one saa’ of cheese, or one saa’ of raisins.”
Thus, it is encouraged to give Zakat Al-Fitr in the form of staple food of that region as a number of scholars elaborated the word of food in above mentioned narration as the local staple food while some others suggested it to be wheat.
A saa’ as was in time of Holy Prophet (SAWW) in Madina is equal to about 3 kg of the uncooked rice. Thus, wheat, cereal and barely etc., of equal weight can be given in Zakat Al Fitr. Food of more than required quantity (i.e., 3 kg of rice) can also be given and other important things like oil etc., can also be added. Also, as per majority of the scholars, Zakat Al Fitr must not be given in money but in the form of food.
Narrated by Ibn ’Abbas (RA), “The Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) enjoined Zakat ul fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer and it is Sadaqah (i.e. voluntary charity) for the person who pays it after the Eid prayer.” (Abu Dawud)
Thus, the Muslims must know about Zakat Al-Fitr and important things related to it in order to perform their this duty as per the rules and regulations.
