Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,150,804 members, 7,810,094 topics. Date: Friday, 26 April 2024 at 08:37 PM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / All You Need To Know About Zakat Ul- Fitr (621 Views)
Best Eid Ul Adha Wishes SMS Greetings Messages Hindi Urdu / Eid Ul-fitr Moon Sighted In Saudi Arabia, Other Countries / Full Text Of President Buhari’s Eid-el-Fitr Message (2) (3) (4)
(1) (Reply)
All You Need To Know About Zakat Ul- Fitr by muhyeenisce(m): 9:26am On Jul 15, 2015 |
Zakat ul-Fitr
Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips and Muhammad al-Jibaly
57
Meaning
Zakat ul-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqat ul-Fitr. The word
Fitr means the same as Iftar, breaking a fast and it comes
from the same root word as Futur which means breakfast.
Thus, Islamically, Zakat ul-Fitr is the name given to charity
which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadhan.
Classification
Sadaqat ul-Fitr is a duty which is Wajib on every Muslim,
whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he / she
has the means to do so. The proof that this form of charity is
compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn 'Umar
reported that the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam made
Zakat ul-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male,
female, young and old among the Muslims; one Sa' of dried
dates or one Sa' of barely.
The head of the household may pay the required amount
for the other members. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, "On behalf
of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take
out during Allah's Messenger's sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam
lifetime one Sa' of grain, cheese or raisins."
Significance
The significant role played by Zakat in the circulation of
wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the
Sadaqat ul-Fitr. However, in the case of Sadaqat ul-Fitr, each
individual is required to calculate how much charity is due
from himself and his dependents and go into the community
in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus,
Sadaqat ul-Fitr plays a very important role in the
development of the bonds of community. The rich are
obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the
poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact
between the various levels of society helps to build real
bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic
community and trains those who have, to be generous to
those who do not have.
Purpose
The main purpose of Zakat ul-Fitr is to provide those who
fasted with the means of making up for their errors during
the month of fasting. Zakat ul-Fitr also provides the poor
with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of
breaking the fast ( 'Eid ul-Fitr) along with the rest of the
Muslims.
Ibn Abbas reported, "The Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa
sallam made Zakat ul-Fitr compulsory so that those who
fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk
(committed during Ramadhan) and so that the poor may be
fed. Whoever gives it before Salah will have it accepted as
Zakat, while he who gives it after the Salah has given
Sadaqat."
Hence, the goal of Sadaqat ul-Fitr is the spiritual
development of the Believers. By making them give up some
of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral
characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the
unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But,
since Islam does not neglect man's material need, part of
the goal of Zakat ul-Fitr is the economic well-being of the
poorer members of society.
Conditions
Zakat ul-Fitr is only Wajib for a particular period of time. If
one misses the time period without a good reason, he has
sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes
obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and
remains obligatory until the beginning of Salat ul-'Eid (i.e.
shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can
be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of
the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi
wa sallam) used to pay Sadaqat ul-Fitr a couple days before
the 'Eid.
Ibn 'Umar reported that the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa
sallam order that it (Zakat ul-Fitr) be given before people go
to make the Salah (of 'Eid).
Nafi' transmitted that Ibn 'Umar used to pay fitr a day or two
before the 'Eid prayer. Whoever pays fitr after the 'Eid
prayer wlll not get the blessings of it because it will be
rendered as regular Sadaqah (see Abu Dawud no. 1605).
And Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi
wa sallam said, "Whoever gives it before the Salah will have
it accepted as Zakat, while he who gives it after the Salah
(will not, for it will only be considered as) ordinary charity.
Therefore, one who forgets to pay this Zakat ul-Fitr on time
should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be
counted as Zakat ul-Fitr."
Rate
The amount of Zakat is the same for everyone regardless of
their different income brackets. The minimum amount is
one Sa' (two handfuls) of food, grain or dried fruit for each
member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn
'Umar's report that the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam
made Zakat ul-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Sa' of dried
dates or a Sa' of barley.
The Sahabi, Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, "In the Prophet's time,
we used to give it (Zakat ul-Fitr) as a Sa' of food, dried dates,
barley, raisins or dried cheese."
Items other than food such as money, clothes, furniture, etc.
cannot be given as Zakat ul-Fitr because it is contrary to
what the Prophet commanded and what Allah wants. The
Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Whoever
introduces anything in this matter (din) of ours will have it
rejected."
Paying Zakat ul-Fitr is an act of worship, and through the
Qur'an and authentic Sunnah all acts of worship are
described. Therefore, to add, subtract, or alter any act of
worship is a bid'ah. Thus, paying Zakat ul-Fitr by other than
food is a bid'ah and every bid'ah eventually leads to the fire
(see Abu Dawud no. 4590).
Not giving money for fitr is as Sunnah at-Turkiyyah (an
action, the abandonment of which is a Prophetic Sunnah).
Money existed and was prevalent in the Prophet's time but
he did not nor did the Companions or Tabi'in (followers of
the Companions) use any money for Fitr. For sure the
Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam was, is, and always will
be the best of worshippers and the Companions and Tabi'in
are the best of generations in understanding and practicing
Islam. So if he and they did not use money for Sadaqat ul-
Fitr why should any one else?
(s) Compiled from the works of the two authors
www.sunnahonline.com |
Re: All You Need To Know About Zakat Ul- Fitr by feldido(m): 9:26am On Jul 15, 2015 |
Ok |
Re: All You Need To Know About Zakat Ul- Fitr by Nobody: 10:38am On Jul 15, 2015 |
This is knowledge. It's good for the nation entirely mindless my religious belief... I'm catholic and I have my faith... Islam has theirs... ... ... ... Happy zakat ul-fitr in advanced 1 Like |
(1) (Reply)
Open Heavens Daily Devotional 21/07/15 / I Believe In You... / Cheap, Quality Design And Printing For Your Events
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 24 |