back to top

Photo: ஸகாதுல் ஃபித்ரு (பெருநாள் தர்மம்) - நாம் ஒவ்வொருவரும் கண்டிப்பாக அறிந்து கொண்டு நிறைவேற்றக்   கூடிய கட்டாய கடமை    ****************************************************

What is Zakat Al-Fitr? Think “Iftar”, Zakat Al-Fitr is the charity that we pay at the end of Ramadan. Here is the foundational hadith that establishes the obligation of Zakat Al-Fitr:

Ibn `Umar Razi Allah Anhu reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) , made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on

every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` (a measurement: four double handfuls) of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [Sahih Bukhari – Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]

But unfortunately, our community makes some basic errors in the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr that must be clarified.

Error One: Paying at Eid Salah

Some people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their Zakat Al-Fitr. No, Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer. If someone goes to Eid prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time. And thus the person paying is sinful

for having missed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr. May Allah forgive us.

Error Two: Snail mailing the money overseas Basic principle as before

The Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas

and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid prayer is over. However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then in sha Allah it’s alright.

Error Three: Not paying

Yes, as simple as this error is, it is HARAM to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house, Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the youngest member is just a few days old.

Error Four: Confusing Zakat Al-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal

We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). Zakat Al-Maal (Maal literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money – and that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.

Error Five: Giving money instead of food

Although some scholars have allowed giving money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to give food to the needy of the community, NOT money. (One can give money to the local masjid in charge and they can give food with that money inshallah). The Companion of the Prophet, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, radi Allahu ‘anhu , said, “In the Prophet’s time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese”. [Bukhari – Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]

Error Six: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project

Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid, or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the Quran are HUMANS, not “building projects”.

Error Seven: Giving Zakat Al-Fitr to non-Muslims

Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakah al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the MUSLIM poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street. “Regular” charity can be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.

Error Eight: Delaying distribution

Sometimes Masjids might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.

And Allah knows Best!

Hadith: Allah SWT hates 3 things for you

Sahih Al Bukhari - Book of Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat) Volumn 002, Book 024, Hadith Number 555. ----------------------------------------- Narated By Ash-sha'bi RA: The clerk of...

Story: Army of Elephants

اس ہفتے کے ٹاپ 5 موضوعات

میں مسجد سے بات کر رہا تھا

ایک شخص نے یوں قصہ سنایا...

قرآنی ‏معلومات ‏سے ‏متعلق ‏ایک ‏سو ‏سوالات ‏

*---اپنے بچوں سے قرآنی معلومات پر 100 سوالوں کے...

Searching for Happiness?

Happiness is the only goal on earth...

دعا – ‎اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبِّىْ مِنْ کل ذَنبٍ وَّاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ

‎اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبِّىْ مِنْ کل ذَنبٍ وَّاَتُوْبُ...

کرایہ دار اور انکی فیملی

وہ گرمیوں کی ایک تپتی دوپہر تھی۔ دفتر سے...

اس دنیا میں انسان کو بھیجنے کا مقصد یہ نہیں ہے کہ اسے زبردستی مسلمان بنایا جائے

​ سورہ الشعراء آیت نمبر 4 اِنۡ نَّشَاۡ نُنَزِّلۡ عَلَیۡہِمۡ مِّنَ...

Hadith: Woman Travel

Sahih Al Bukhari - Book of Shortening The Prayers...

Hadith: Importance of Azaan and Prayers

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala...

Hadith: when Allah will spend on you?

Sahih Al Bukhari - Book of Supporting The Family...

Ungrateful Wives

Sahih Al Bukhari - Book of Belief Volumn 001, Book...

چشمے کو جہاں چاہیں لے جاسکیں گے

سورہ الانسان آیت نمبر 6 عَیۡنًا یَّشۡرَبُ بِہَا عِبَادُ اللّٰہِ...

متعلقہ مضامین

ایک مشہور مصنف

ایک مشہور مصنف نے اپنے مطالعے کے کمرےمیں قلم اٹھایا اور ایک کاغذ پر لکھا: ٭٭٭ گزشتہ سال میرا آپریشن ہوا اور پتا نکال دیا...

طنز کا طریقہ اور طعنہ دینے کا طریقہ اختیار کرنا

آج سے تقریبا تیس پینتیس سال پہلے کی بات ہے ، میں اس وقت دارالعلوم کراچی سے نیا نیا فارغ ہوا تھا ، اس...

کچھ دوستوں کا احوال سناتا ہوں

‫پچھلے سال فروری میں مجھے ایک دوست کی دعوت پر سرگودھا جانے کا اتفاق ہوا۔ دعوت بھی خاص الخاص مالٹوں کی تھی۔ جو لوگ...

Story – Be Thankful for the Simple Things

Be Thankful for the Simple Things·         Sheikh Salman al-OadahA man once approached a wise sage complaining of poverty....

کسان کا گھوڑا

ﺍﯾﮏ ﺩﻓﻌﮧ ﺍﯾﮏ ﮔﮭﻮﮌﺍ ﺍﯾﮏ ﮔﮩﺮﮮ ﮔﮍﮬﮯ ﻣﯿﮟ ﺟﺎ ﮔﺮﺍ ﺍﻭﺭ ﺯﻭﺭ ﺯﻭﺭ ﺳﮯ ﺍﻭﺍﺯﮮ ﻧﮑﺎﻟﻨﮯﻟﮕﺎ. ﮔﮭﻮﮌﮮ ﮐﺎ ﻣﺎﻟﮏ ﮐﺴﺎﻥ ﺗﮭﺎ ﺟﻮ ﮐﻨﺎﺭﮮ ﭘﮧ ﮐﮭﮍﺍ ﺍﺳﮯ...

تھپکی کی طاقت

وہ ایک کند ذہن بچہ تھا۔ روز سکول آتا لیکن اسے کبھی سبق یاد نہیں ہوتا تھا۔استاتذہ سے روز ڈانٹ ڈپٹ اور مار کھانا اس...