Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana)?
Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana) is a vital part of Ramadan for Muslims worldwide. It’s not just about fasting during the holy month; it’s also about giving back to those in need. But who exactly should pay Zakat al Fitr? That’s what we’re here to discuss.
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Zakat al Fitr is the money given out as charity at the end of Ramadan. This is different from the normal Zakat, which is given based on one’s wealth. Zakat al Fitr is about extra resources for your basic needs.
Now, who is obliged to give Zakat al-Fitr? Simply put, if someone is a self-sufficient adult Muslim and has enough resources beyond their basic needs, then they need to pay Zakat al Fitr. It’s as simple as that.
You might ask what “self-sufficient adult” means. This concept simply indicates being old enough to care about yourself and not seeking the help of other people to arrange everything included in the demands of a person’s basic life.
So, in this blog, we’ll look deeper into who exactly falls into this category of being eligible to pay Zakat al Fitr.
What is Zakat al Fitr?
Zakat al Fitr, also known as Fitrana, refers to a special obligatory charity for Muslims given after the holiest month of Ramadan. It differs from the conventional zakat in respect to the feeding of the poor.
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every adult Muslim, self-supporting, with food more than he may need, on behalf of his own and persons under his care. Besides, Zakat al-Fitr purifies one’s fasting in the month of Ramadan and ensures the enjoyment of the less fortunate in celebrating Eid.
The Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, said:
Ibn Umar said that Allah’s Messenger (way peace be upon him) prescribed the payment of Zakat-ul-Fitr (on breaking the fast) of Ramadan for people, for every freeman, or slave, male and female among the Muslims-one sa’ of dried dates, or one sa’ of barley.
The Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him said Zakat al-Fitr is incumbent on every Muslim, whether adult or child, boy or girl, free or slave. Also, he described it as a purifying nature to the one who fasts within Rabeed, and it is a way of nourishing those in dire need.
Additionally, there are hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) that emphasize the significance of Zakat al Fitr. For example,
Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (ï·º) ordered that the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr should be paid before the people go out for prayer.
This hadith narrated by Ibn ‘Umar underscores the Prophet Muhammad’s instruction that Zakat al Fitr (Sadaqat-ul-Fitr) should be paid before the Eid prayer. It emphasizes the importance of fulfilling this obligation promptly to ensure that the needy receive assistance in time for Eid celebrations. By adhering to this guidance, Muslims uphold the communal spirit of Eid, ensuring that all members of the community can partake in the festivities with dignity and joy.
The Eligibility Criteria Fitrana?
Determining who should pay Zakat al Fitr is simple. It’s for every adult Muslim who has more food than they need for themselves and their family. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said everyone should pay it, whether you’re a man or a woman, young or old, and whether you’re rich or poor. It doesn’t matter if you’re married or single or if you’re free or enslaved. In fact, it is the only type of charity that even the enslaved are obligated to do.
As Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ï·º) as saying:
There is no Sadaqah on a slave except Sadaqat-ul-Fitr.
Zakat al Fitr is not about how much money you have; it’s about having more food than you need for the day and night of Eid. Even children are included, and their parents are responsible for paying on their behalf. This charity is all about sharing blessings and ensuring everyone can enjoy the festivities of Eid without worrying about having enough to eat.
Quantity of Zakat al Fitr
The Prophet (PBUH) describes the quantity as one saa’ of food, which is equivalent to four madd. A madd is the quantity that can be scooped up with one’s hands together. If we convert this to a monetary value based on the price of a staple item like wheat or rice, it is around $5. As a result, each individual is required to pay $5.
Obligation on Family Heads
In Islam, family heads have a special responsibility regarding Zakat al Fitr. It’s their duty to ensure that every household member, including themselves, pays this obligatory charity. Whether it’s the father, mother, or guardian, whoever is responsible for providing for the family should also take charge of fulfilling this obligation.
This means that Zakat al-Fitr is not an individual obligation but an obligation upon the whole household. The heads of a family need to ensure that this is not preconditioned based on age or the status of everyone who falls in this category of a family to meet the paying of Zakat al-Fitr.
The heads of the families will pay Zakat al Fitr, and thus, the family members have no excuses. The respective heads are to be examples to their families. By fulfilling this obligation sincerely and on time, they are depicting a quality of being sympathetic and caring towards human beings according to the beliefs of Muslims.
Zakat al Fitr and Social Welfare
Other than being a religious obligation, Zakat al-Fitr brings forth a very important social aspect that needs to be extended to the Muslim community. This mandatory act of charity gives rise to unity and fellowship, thus ensuring that each and every Eid brings smiles and cheer to the faces of all, especially the lesser privileged.
Zakat ul Fitr is a principle through which Islam inculcates the redistribution of wealth among the members of society. This reduces cases of economic disparities and poverty hence improving the scenario where the society brings about justice and fairness by all members contained in the community.
Besides, Zakat al-Fitr plays a very imperative role, in the sense that it strengthens the already existing social relationships and unites the people of the community. Through the act of giving, one cannot lack feelings of empathy and understanding towards those with less fortune.
Furthermore, Zakat-ul-Fitr’s impact on people’s lives is immediate and direct. It helps them with the necessities for celebrating Eid gracefully and in an atmosphere of joy. This way, even with a lack of financial means, every Muslim can enjoy the charms of Eid.
Conclusion
Zakat al Fitr is not just a religious duty but a symbol of compassion and social solidarity within Muslim communities. By fulfilling this obligation, Muslims ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can enjoy the festivities of Eid with dignity.
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From the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings to its implementation in households, Zakat al Fitr embodies the spirit of generosity and communal support in Islam.