Zakat-ul-Fitr

It Ruling:

Zakat-ul-Fitr is a Sunnah that is obligatory upon every individual Muslim. This is due to Ibn ‘Umar’s statement, may Allah be pleased with him:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat-ul-Firt obligatory during Ramadhan as one Sa’ of dried dates or one Sa’ of barley upon the slave and the free man, the male and the female, and the young and the old of the Muslim.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Its Wisdom:

From the wisdom of Zakat-ul-Fitr is that it purifies the fasting spoul form the effects of useless, non-beneficial speech (or acts) and obscene speech (or behavior). Likewise, it keeps the poor and needy people from having to beg on the day of “Eid. Ibn ‘Abba,s may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory as a purification for the fasting person form useless, non-beneficial speech (or acts) and obscene speech (or behavior), and as a means of feeding the poor.” (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

Note: The remainder of it states: “So whoever gives it before the prayer (Salat-ul’Eid) , then it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever gives it after the prayer (Salat-ul-Eid), then it is charity (Sadaqah) from the charities.”

The Prophet ﷺalso said:
«أَغْنُوهُمْ عَنِ السَّوَالِ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ»

Keep them (the poor) form having to beg on this day. (Al-Bayhaqi and chain of narration is weak)

The Amount and Type of Food:

The amount of Zakat-ul-fitr is a Sa’ , and a Sa’ is four Amdad (cupped handfuls). It is given form the usual staple foods of the people of the land, whether it is wheat, or barely , or dried dates, or rice, or raisins or cheese. This is due to the statement of Abu’ Sa’id (may Allah be pleased with him):

“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺwas among us, we used to give Zakat-ul-Fitr on behalf of every person, young and old, free or owned (i.e. a slave), as a Sa’ of Ta’am{2} or a Sa’ of cheese (dried milk) or a Sa’ of barley or a Sa’ of dried dates, or a Sa’ of raisins.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Note:The meaning of Ta’am is millet or corn.

Food. Money should not be given in place of it, except it there is a pressing need to do so. This is because it is not confirmed that the Prophet ﷺ gave money for it in place of food. It has not even been reported form the Companions that they gave money (for Zakah-ul-Fitr).

It is Only given from items of Food:

It is obligatory that Zakat-ul-Fitr be given form the types of

Its Time:

Zakat-ul-Fitr becomes obligatory with the coming of the night of the ‘Eid (i.e. thenight before the 1st of Shawwal). It is to be paid a day or two before the day of the ‘Eid, as Ibn ‘Umar used to do, and time of giving generosity, which is form the time Fajr comes in on the day of the ‘Eid until just before the prayer (Salat-ul-‘Eid). This is due to the Prophet’s ﷺcommand that Zakat-ul-Fitr be given before the people come out to the prayer. Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺmade Zakat-ul-Fitr obligatory as a purification for the fasting person form useless, none-beneficial speech (or acts) and obscene speech (or behavior), and as a means of feeding the poor. So whoever gives it before the prayer (Salat-ul-‘Eid), then it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever gives it after the prayer (Salat-ul-‘Eid), then it is a form of charity (Sadaqah).” It has been mentioned previously.)

The time of making it up (i.e. paying it late) is after the ‘Eid prayer and anytime thereafter. Zakat-ul-Fitr may be given during this time (following the prayer) and it is acceptable, however it is disliked (to give it late).

Its Recipients:

The recipients of Zakat-ul-Fitr are the same as the recipients of the general Zakat, except that the poor and the needy have more right to it than the other people who have a share it. This is based upon the Prophet’s statement:
«أَغْنُوهُمْ عَنِ السُّوَالِ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ»

Keep them form having the bed on this day. (Al-Bayhaqi and its chain of narration is weak)

Therefore, it is not given to other than the poor, unless there are no poor people or their poverty is light (i.e. not severe) or the need of others besides them, who have a share in it, has become severe.

Important Notes:

  • 1:It is permissible for a wealthy woman to pay her Zakah to her husband, who is poor, however the opposite is not permissible. This is because the maintenance of the woman is obligatory upon the man and the maintenance of the man is not obligatory upon the woman.
  • 2:Zakat-ul-Fitr is not required form one who does not possess a day’s worth of food, as Allah does not burden a soul except with what it can bear.
  • 3:Whoever possesses more than a day’s worth of food and he given it (as his Zakat-ul-Fitr),this will suffice him. This is due to Allah’s statement:

فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ

So fear Allah as much as you are able. (64:16)

  • 4:It is permissible to give to charity of in individual to a number of people, distributing it among them, and it is permissible to give the charity of a number of individuals to one individual, as the giving of charity is mentioned in the Shari’ah in unrestricted terms.
  • 5:The Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory upon the Muslim in the land in which he resides.
  • 6:It is not permissible to transfer Zakat-ul-Fitr form one land to another, except if there is a pressing need. Its situation is the same as Zakah.