Questions Related To Zakat Al-Fitr (Alms Of Breaking The Fast)

Obligation to pay Zakat al-Fitr

Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made it a duty to distribute zakat al-Fitr in the form of one sa’ meal. He imputed this to a slave and free, man and woman, young and old from among the Muslims, commanding them to do this before going out to the Eid . ” al-Bukhari 1503 .

Imam al-Nawawi said: “All scholars agree that zakat al-Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim.” See al-Majmoo 6/106.

The wisdom of Zakat al-Fitr

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) obliged to pay zakat al-Fitr as a cleansing for a fasting person from empty talk and as food for the poor. Whoever paid it before the Eid Prayer is acceptable zakat, and whoever paid it after prayer, in this case, it is considered only alms. ” Abu Dawood 1609. Authentic Hadith

Waaki ‘ibn al-Jarrah said : “Zakat al-Fitr in the month of Ramadan is like sajdah sahua in namaz. Zakat al-Fitr expiates the omissions of fasting in the same way that sajdah sahua expiates the shortcomings in prayer. ” See al-Majmoo 6/321.

The size of Zakat al-Fitr

According to Ibn ‘Abbas, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said : “Give Zakat al-Fitr in the form of one sa’ meal.” Abu Nu’aym 3/262,. Saheeh al-jami 282.

How Zakat al-Fitr should be paid

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri said : “We paid zakat al-Fitr with one sa ‘food or one sa’ of barley, or dates, or cottage cheese, or raisins.” al-Bukhari 1506.

Ashghab said: “I heard Imam Malik say:“ Barley is not paid to those who do not use it! It should be paid with what people use ””. See al-Istizkar 9/263 .

Hafiz Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr said: “It is obligatory to take into account food, which is the main one in any locality, at all times.” See at-Tamhid 7/127 .

When should Zakat al-Fitr be paid? ‘Umar ibn’ Abdul-‘Aziz and Abul-‘Aliyah regarding the words of Allah Almighty: “Prosperous is he who purified himself, remembered the name of his Lord and prayed” (al-A’la 87: 14-15) , said: “This means: paid zakat al-Fitr, and then went to the Eid prayer ”. See “Akhkamul-Kuran” 3/176.

Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered the payment of Fitr before going out to the Eid prayer.” al-Bukhari 1503.

Imam Ibn at-Tin said: “The time for the payment of Fitr is after the morning prayer and before the Eid prayer.” See al-Mutawari 135, Fathul-Bari 3/478.

Imam Ibn Qudama said: “The meaning of the duty of zakat al-Fitr is the holiday of Conversation.” See al-Mughni 2/676.

Sheikh al-Albani was asked: “Is it permissible to pay zakat al-Fitr a few days or weeks before the Eid prayer?” He replied: “ This is not permitted, since the meaning of Zakat al-Fitr is to relieve those in need of requests on the day of the holiday. If you pay Fitr long before him, then there is no doubt that the needy will not hold this food until the holiday. ” See “al-Hawi min fatawah sheikh al-Albani” 283.

But if a person fears that he will not have time to pay Fitr before the Eid Prayer, then it can be paid a day or two before the Eid Prayer, which is an exception.

Nafi ‘said: “Ibn’ Umar used to pay Fitr a day or two before the holiday.” al-Bukhari 1511, Muslim 986.