play videoplay video

Video duration 01 minutes 16 seconds 01:16

Zakat al-Fitr is defined legally as “a charity that is obligatory upon breaking the fast of Ramadan by its end

,” and it must be given to the poor before people go out to the Eid al-Fitr prayer. If it is delayed than that, it is a regular charity, and it is permissible to give it a day or two before the Eid

.

Her judgment and wisdom

The legal ruling on Zakat al-Fitr is that it is obligatory for every Muslim if his livelihood exceeds his needs and the needs of his family on the day and night of Eid, and he is obligated to pay it on behalf of himself and those he supports from whom he is legally obligated to spend on, and in this regard they are equal, male and female, old and young.

The evidence for the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr is the authentic hadith on the authority of Abdullah bin Omar, may God be pleased with them both: “The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, imposed Zakat al-Fitr from Ramadan on every Muslim soul” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

As for the wisdom behind the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr, it is evident in several matters, the most important of which are:

1- It is, as the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, said, “it purifies the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity,” meaning that it erases what a Muslim may commit during Ramadan of legal prohibitions during his fasting.

2- It is “a food for the poor,” as the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, also said. It saves the poor from having to ask on the day of Eid and increases their sustenance, so that Eid is a day of joy and happiness for all segments of society.

3- The Muslim gives thanks for the many blessings of God Almighty upon him and those who are fasting, including the blessing of reaching Ramadan and completing his fast.

Its time and amount

Zakat al-Fitr must be paid from the moment the sun sets on the last day of Ramadan until people go out to Eid al-Fitr prayer the next morning. If it is later than that, it is a regular charity. It is permissible to pay it a day or two before the Eid.

Zakat al-Fitr is paid from the food of the country of origin, which people mostly eat. Its amount is approximately three kilograms of one of the types of this food (wheat, barley, rice, etc.).

 It is permissible to pay the value of Zakat al-Fitr in cash instead of food if that is more appropriate for the payer or the poor person who benefits from it. It may only be paid to the poor and needy.

Source: Al Jazeera