What Is Zakat ulFitr?
By Dr Aslam Abdullah
Fontana, CA
Muslims all over the world would distribute at least $15 billion at the end of the month of fasting under the obligation of Zakat ulFitr
What is ZakaulFitr? It is a certain amount of money every Muslim, including the unborn babies (conceived), has to pay before the end of the Eid prayers that mark the endof the month of fasting.
Ibn Umar reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) prescribed the payment of Zakat-ul-Fitr 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. (Sahih Muslim, Book 12, Hadith 16)
It is obligatory upon every Muslim to pay zakat ulFitr before the end of the Eid prayers, even though some scholars say that it can be paid before the end of the Eid day.
One sa of barley or dried dates comprise between 2.5 kg to 3 kg. In the US, the cost of 3 kg of barley is 11 dollars for regular and about $35.00 for organic. The cost of dried dates is about $15.00 for regular and $35 or more for organic.
Most masajid and Islamic Centers calculate the amount of zakat ulFitr to be between $12 to $15.00.
Implied in this obligation is the assertion that Zakat ulFitr is to be distributed before the Eid Prayer. Usually, in Islamic Centers and masajid in the US, this does not happen. The amount of money collected during the Eid prayers for Zakat ulFitr is counted after the prayers, deposited and then distributed. Often, this might take days and weeks before distribution is done.
Zakat ulFitr is different fromZakatul Mal in terms of payment and time of payment. It is the same for all and no one is exempt from it and it has to be paid and distributed before the Eid prayersto follow the Sunnah of the prophet for this obligatory payment.
The Prophet of Allah said, "The fasting of the month of fasting will be hanging between earth and heavens and it will not be raised up to the Divine Presence without paying the Zakat al-Fitr."
It is also paid to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.
It is paid to the same categories of people and institutions as mentioned inSurat Al-Tawbah, [9: 60]. They include:
1. the poor
2. the needy,
3. collectors of Zakah,
4. reconciliation of hearts,
5. freeing from bondage
6. debtors
7. in a cause of God
8. the traveler.
Under the present system of collection, Zakat ulFitr cannot be disbursed instantly at least in the US and other Westercountries. In order to distribute it before Eid, Muslims need to bring about a change in the collection of Zakat ulFitr
1. Every institution should have special collection boxes and account for Zakat ulFitr.
2. The institution should mark a deadline for this collection.
3. They should calculate and deposit the collection instantly and distribute it before the Eid prayers either to individuals or institutions.
4. They should advertise in advance so that the qualified people can apply.
5. The whole process should be transparent and the privacy of the recipient should be preserved.
Back to Pakistanlink Homepage
