ZAKAT AL-FITR

What is Zakat Al-Fitr? It is a kind of charity(sadaqah) that is obligatory at the time of breaking the fast of Ramadan. The word Zakah is connected by idaafah to fitr because the occasion of breaking the fast is the reason why this zakah becomes obligatory.

 WISDOM OF ZAKAT AL-FITR

Ibn ‘Abbaas said:”The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) made Zakat al-fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted zakat, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of charity(sadaqah).”

        IS ZAKAT AL-FITR COMPULSORY?

The correct view is that it is fardh(obligatory), because Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) made zakat Al-Fitr obligatory.” It becomes obligatory when the sun sets on the last day of Ramadan. Anyone who gets married, has a baby born to him or becomes Muslim before the sun sets on that day ,has to give Zakat al-fitr [on behalf of himself/his or new baby], but if it happens after sunset ,he does not have to give it..Whoever dies after sunset on the night of fitr, sadaqat al-fitr must be given on his behalf.

   WHO SHOULD PAY ZAKAT AL-FITR?

Everyone who at the beginning of shawaal, has enough food for himself and those whom he is supporting, for that day, and has enough to give Zakat al-fitr on behalf of them and himself , should give it on behalf of them and himself.If he only has enough to give on behalf of some of them, then he should give on behalf of some of them. If he only has enough for himself and those whom he is supporting, then he is not obliged to give Zakat al-fitr on his own behalf or on behalf of those whom he is supporting.