Sadaqat-ul-Fitr/Zakat Ul -Fitr !
* Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, also called Zakat-ul-Fitr, is a Sadaqah which is given by Muslims to poor every year, towards the end of the month of Ramadan. There are some important aspects related to this Sadaqah, and this discussion shall, Insha’Allah, try to explain about those aspects.Fitr means to break fast or to refrain from fasting.The true object in giving Sadqatul-fitr on this happy, occasion is also to assist the poor and needy, so that, they may rejoice with the more fortunate.
*** On whom is Sadaqat-ul-Fitr obligatory, and how much it is to be
paid ?
Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is obligatory(wajib) on every Muslim. Be it a female, or a male, be it a free Muslim or a slave, be it a young Muslim or an old one; every Muslim has to pay Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, provided that the person falls under the Nisab i.e. criterion which makes Sadaqat-ul-Fitr due on him.
“Narrated Ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has made the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr obligatory, either one Sa’ of barley or one Sa’ of dates (per head) on young and old people and on free men as on slaves.”
(Hadith No. 1512, Book of Zakat, Sahih Bukhari, Vol.2).
The Nisab which makes Sadaqat-ul-Fitr due on a person has been told different by different scholars. One can follow either of these criteria as per which fiqh he follows.
Next thing to know is how much Sadqat-ul-Fitr is to be paid? This is also mentioned clearly in the hadith quoted above. The criterion for payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is one Sa’ of barley or dates per head of a family member (including children, old, males, females, slaves etc.). 1 Sa’ is approximately equal to 3 kilograms. So, if a family consists of six members (for example), then 3 kilograms per head of dates or barley means eighteen (3 x 6 = 18) kilograms of dates or barley to be paid as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. It can either be paid as this much weight of dates or barley, or an amount equivalent to the cost of this may be calculated and paid as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. It should be understood that when it is said that it is obligatory even on children, then the head of the family is supposed to pay on their behalf.
*** When is Sadaqat-ul-Fitr to be paid?
Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is to be paid towards the end of Ramadan. There are different narrations which tell us that companions of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to pay it one or two days before end of Ramadan. It can also be paid till the morning of the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, in any case, it should be paid before one leaves his home for the Salat of Eid).Prophet MUhammed(sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was very particular about this, as is evident from the hadith given below:
“Ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) would order paying Sadaqat-ul-Fitr before going to Salat on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.”
(Hadith No. 1509, Book of Zakat, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2; Hadith No. 677, Chapters on Zakat, Jami’-At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2).
** It is permissible to pay the fitrah in advance at any time during the month of Ramadhân.
** Sadaqatul Fitr is wâjib upon all those who fasted as well as those who did not fast for some reason or other.
** The fitrah should preferably be paid before the Eid Salâh.
** It is not permissible to delay the payment of fitrah later than the Day of Eid. However, if it was not paid on the Day of Eid or before, the obligation remains and the fitrah will have to be paid.
Significance of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr :
Having discussed so much about the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr and the obligation on every Muslim to do so, one may ask, why is it so important? Let us go through the following hadith:
“Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu anhu) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) obligated Zakat-ul-Fitr for the one who fasts as a means of purifying him from vain talk and immoral deeds, and as a means of feeding the poor. Whoever gives it before the (Eid) prayer will have it counted as an accepted Sadaqah, and whoever gives it after the prayer will have it counted as a charity among charities.”
(Vol. 3, Book 8, Hadith 1827 Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2).
It is such a comprehensive narration which answers all the questions about the significance of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. It leads to purification of a Muslim, it leads to feeding of poor, and it leads to earning of Hasanaat(good deeds) for the payer.
Let us all realize the importance of this beautiful Sadaqah. Do not forget to pay it every year, and make it a habit to pay it within prescribed time. Allah never lets anything which we spend in His way go in vain. Insha’Allah there shall be a great reward from Allah for this.
* Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, also called Zakat-ul-Fitr, is a Sadaqah which is given by Muslims to poor every year, towards the end of the month of Ramadan. There are some important aspects related to this Sadaqah, and this discussion shall, Insha’Allah, try to explain about those aspects.Fitr means to break fast or to refrain from fasting.The true object in giving Sadqatul-fitr on this happy, occasion is also to assist the poor and needy, so that, they may rejoice with the more fortunate.
*** On whom is Sadaqat-ul-Fitr obligatory, and how much it is to be
paid ?
Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is obligatory(wajib) on every Muslim. Be it a female, or a male, be it a free Muslim or a slave, be it a young Muslim or an old one; every Muslim has to pay Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, provided that the person falls under the Nisab i.e. criterion which makes Sadaqat-ul-Fitr due on him.
“Narrated Ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has made the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr obligatory, either one Sa’ of barley or one Sa’ of dates (per head) on young and old people and on free men as on slaves.”
(Hadith No. 1512, Book of Zakat, Sahih Bukhari, Vol.2).
The Nisab which makes Sadaqat-ul-Fitr due on a person has been told different by different scholars. One can follow either of these criteria as per which fiqh he follows.
Next thing to know is how much Sadqat-ul-Fitr is to be paid? This is also mentioned clearly in the hadith quoted above. The criterion for payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is one Sa’ of barley or dates per head of a family member (including children, old, males, females, slaves etc.). 1 Sa’ is approximately equal to 3 kilograms. So, if a family consists of six members (for example), then 3 kilograms per head of dates or barley means eighteen (3 x 6 = 18) kilograms of dates or barley to be paid as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. It can either be paid as this much weight of dates or barley, or an amount equivalent to the cost of this may be calculated and paid as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. It should be understood that when it is said that it is obligatory even on children, then the head of the family is supposed to pay on their behalf.
*** When is Sadaqat-ul-Fitr to be paid?
Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is to be paid towards the end of Ramadan. There are different narrations which tell us that companions of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to pay it one or two days before end of Ramadan. It can also be paid till the morning of the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, in any case, it should be paid before one leaves his home for the Salat of Eid).Prophet MUhammed(sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was very particular about this, as is evident from the hadith given below:
“Ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) would order paying Sadaqat-ul-Fitr before going to Salat on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.”
(Hadith No. 1509, Book of Zakat, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2; Hadith No. 677, Chapters on Zakat, Jami’-At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2).
** It is permissible to pay the fitrah in advance at any time during the month of Ramadhân.
** Sadaqatul Fitr is wâjib upon all those who fasted as well as those who did not fast for some reason or other.
** The fitrah should preferably be paid before the Eid Salâh.
** It is not permissible to delay the payment of fitrah later than the Day of Eid. However, if it was not paid on the Day of Eid or before, the obligation remains and the fitrah will have to be paid.
Significance of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr :
Having discussed so much about the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr and the obligation on every Muslim to do so, one may ask, why is it so important? Let us go through the following hadith:
“Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu anhu) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) obligated Zakat-ul-Fitr for the one who fasts as a means of purifying him from vain talk and immoral deeds, and as a means of feeding the poor. Whoever gives it before the (Eid) prayer will have it counted as an accepted Sadaqah, and whoever gives it after the prayer will have it counted as a charity among charities.”
(Vol. 3, Book 8, Hadith 1827 Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2).
It is such a comprehensive narration which answers all the questions about the significance of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. It leads to purification of a Muslim, it leads to feeding of poor, and it leads to earning of Hasanaat(good deeds) for the payer.
Let us all realize the importance of this beautiful Sadaqah. Do not forget to pay it every year, and make it a habit to pay it within prescribed time. Allah never lets anything which we spend in His way go in vain. Insha’Allah there shall be a great reward from Allah for this.
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