Questions related to Zakat al-Fitr (Almsgiving of Breaking the Fast)

bligation to pay Zakat al-Fitr

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

Imam an-Nawawi said: “All scholars agree that Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim.”
See al-Majmu’ 6/106.

The Wisdom of Zakat al-Fitr

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah 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 pays it before the Eid prayer is an acceptable zakat, and whoever pays it after the prayer, in this case it is considered only as alms.
Abu Dawud 1609. Authentic Hadith

Waqi’ ibn al-Jarrah said: “Zakat al-Fitr in the month of Ramadan is like sajda sahua in prayer. Zakat al-Fitr atones for the omissions of fasting in the same way that sajda sahua atones for shortcomings in prayer.
See al-Majmu’ 6/321.

Zakat al-Fitr

According to Ibn ‘Abbas, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Let’s give zakat al-Fitr in the form of one sa’ meal.”
Abu Nu’aym 3/262, . “Sahih al-Jami'” 282.

How to pay Zakat al-Fitr

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri said: We paid zakat al-Fitr with one sa’ of food or one sa’ of barley or dates or curd or raisins.
al-Bukhari 1506.

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

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

When should Zakat al-Fitr be paid?

‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Aziz and Abu’l-‘Alia regarding the words of Allah Almighty: ” The one who cleansed himself, remembered the name of his Lord and prayed ” (al-A’la 87: 14-15), said: “This is means: he paid zakat al-Fitr, and then went to the holiday prayer.
See Ahkamul Quran 3/176.

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

Imam Ibn at-Tin said: “The timing of the payment of Fitr after the morning prayer and before the holiday 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 allowed, because the meaning of zakat al-Fitr is to save the needy from requests on the day of the holiday. If you pay Fitr long before it, then there is no doubt that the needy will not keep this food until the holiday.
See “al-Khawi min fatawa sheikh al-Albani” 283.

But if a person is afraid that he will not have time to pay Fitr before the Eid prayer, then you can pay it 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.