Zakat al-Fitr: A Summary of Rulings

There are numerous types of Zakat; the Zakat of one's blessings is paid by maintaining personal dignity and showing kindness towards others. Zakat of one's health is paid through illness and fatigue. Zakat of one's wealth is through paying the obligation of Zakat al-Mal. The Zakat of your fast is paying Zakat al Fitr. Whenever you give the "charity" of something, whether it be wealth, health, good character, or patience during illness, you protect yourself from loss in that matter.

Zakat al-Fitr is an obligatory duty upon every Muslim, and it is the charity of the body that purifies the fasting person from indecent talk and vain discourse. It expresses the Muslim's gratitude for Allah's blessings in allowing food and drink after they were prohibited during the days of Ramadan. It is a form of purification for the soul and body, just as there is a charity for wealth that purifies and increases it. Similarly, there is a charity for the body that purifies and enriches it, which is Zakat al-Fitr. It is given in thankfulness to Allah for His blessings and favors, and as a means of purification for the fasting person from any indecent talk or vain discourse that may have occurred while fasting. 

Some scholars have said “Zakat al-Fitr to your Ramadan fast, is like Sajda al-Sahu to your prayer; each makes up for the errors made therein.”

As a Muslim, I believe it is essential to understand the rules and obligations related to Zakat al-Fitr, a compulsory charity given at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In this article, I will explore the various aspects of Zakat al-Fitr, including its definition, the conditions for its obligation, who is required to pay it, and the prescribed manner of giving it. By delving into these details, I hope to provide a clear and comprehensive understanding of this important religious duty.

Definition and Reason for the Name

Zakat al-Fitr is an obligatory charity that Muslims must give upon the completion of the month of Ramadan, before the Eid al-Fitr prayers. The word "Fitr" is derived from the Arabic verb "aftar," which means to break the fast. This connection to the breaking of the fast is the reason behind the charity's name. Some scholars also link the name to the word "fitrah," which refers to the natural disposition or innate nature of human beings. In this context, Zakat al-Fitr is seen as a means of purification for one's body and soul, as mentioned in the Quran: "The Fitrah of Allah upon which He has created mankind" [30:30].

Obligation and Conditions

There are general conditions for giving Zakat al-Fitr. It is obligatory due to the generality of two hadith narrated from Ibn Umar:

-  "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered to give the charity of al-Fitr on behalf of the young and the old, the free and the slave, from those whom you provide for." (narrated by Al-Daraqutni),

-  "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ obligated Zakat al-Fitr from Ramadan, a Sa' (a measure) of dates or a Sa' of barley, upon the slave and the free, the male and the female, the young and the old among the Muslims." (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

Who gives Zakat al-Fitr?

-  Every Muslim who is able to provide for themselves, even if they are considered poor.

-  Those who are responsible for providing for others, such as dependents, must give Zakat al-Fitr on their behalf, provided they have sufficient wealth.

-  The condition for a Muslim to be obligated to give Zakat al-Fitr is having enough provisions for themselves and their dependents for the day of Eid al-Fitr and the night that follows it.

-  This means that if a person has enough food or money to feed themselves and their dependents for that period, they are considered "able to provide for themselves" and are thus obligated to give Zakat al-Fitr.

-  Therefore Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on almost all Muslims, except those that are in the most extreme forms of hardship and poverty.

Who can receive Zakat al-Fitr?

-  The poor and needy who cannot afford to provide for themselves during the day of Eid al-Fitr.

-  The recipients should be those who are eligible to receive Zakat, as mentioned in the Quran (9:60).

How much should be given?

-  The obligatory amount for Zakat al-Fitr is one sa', which is approximately 2.5 kilograms or 5.5 pounds of food.

-  The amount is based on the volume of four handfuls of an average-sized man.

-  For giving cash, please see the details below.

What should be given?

-  The most preferred items to give are dates and raisins, followed by wheat, barley, and dried yogurt.

-  If these items are not available, other staple foods commonly consumed in the region, such as rice, corn, or other grains, can be given.

When should Zakat al-Fitr be given?

-  It should be given before the Eid al-Fitr prayers.

-  The best time to give Zakat al-Fitr is on the morning of Eid al-Fitr before the prayer.

-  It can be given a day or two before Eid as well.

-  Giving Zakat al-Fitr after the Eid prayer is disliked, and some scholars consider it as a regular charity and not the obligatory Zakat al-Fitr.

In summary, Zakat al-Fitr is an obligation upon every Muslim who has the means to provide for themselves and their dependents.

Who is Required to Pay Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr is mandatory for every Muslim who is able to provide for themselves, regardless of their financial status. This means that even those considered poor are obligated to give Zakat al-Fitr if they have the means to do so. Additionally, those responsible for providing for others, such as slaves, relatives, and dependents, must also give Zakat al-Fitr on their behalf, provided they have sufficient wealth.

Giving on Behalf of Others

In addition to giving Zakat al-Fitr for oneself, Muslims are also required to give on behalf of those under their care and responsibility. This includes slaves, employees, and relatives for whom they are responsible for providing, such as a spouse, child, or parent. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, Zakat al-Fitr is not obligatory for those whose provisions are the responsibility of the public treasury, such as orphans or slaves without a specific owner. Similarly, an employer is not required to give Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of their employee if the employee's provisions are included in their wages. 

The idea here is, “If I’m responsible to support them financially, then I am responsible to pay Zakat al-Fitr on their behalf.”

The Amount and Type of Food to Give

The obligatory amount of Zakat al-Fitr is one sa', which is a specific measure equivalent to approximately 2.5 kilograms or 5.5 pounds of food. This amount is based on the volume of four handfuls of an average-sized man and applies to all types of food given as Zakat al-Fitr. The most preferred items to give are dates and raisins, followed by wheat, barley, and cheese, as these were commonly given during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions. If these items are not available, it is permissible to give other staple foods that are commonly consumed in the region, such as rice, corn, or other grains. The most important aspect is to provide food that will suffice for the needs of the poor during the day of Eid.

Issues related to Giving Zakat al-Fitr

Giving on Behalf of a Group or to a Group: Zakat al-Fitr can be given on behalf of a group to another group, such as a family, or a group of people can give their Zakat al-Fitr to a single person. This flexibility allows for ease in the distribution of the charity and ensures that it reaches those who are most in need.

Giving What Was Received as Zakat or Charity: If a person receives Zakat al-Fitr or other charity, they are allowed to give it to someone else who is also eligible to receive it. This can be done by the individual or those in authority. However, it is important to note that it is not permissible for a person to buy back the Zakat al-Fitr or charity they have given, as this is considered as taking back one's charity, which is prohibited in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prohibited 'Umar ibn al-Khattab from buying back a horse he had given in charity, saying, "Do not buy back what you have given in charity."  (Bukhari and Muslim)

An exception to the rule of not buying back Zakat or charity is when it comes back to the person who gave it through other means, such as inheritance, a gift, or a debt settlement (without prior agreement). In these cases, it is permissible for them to accept it, as the ownership has transferred through a new means and is no longer considered the same Zakat or charity they had given before.

Giving Money Instead of Food:

Issue One: Giving money to an agent to buy food for you, then giving food staples to the poor.

According to the consensus of Islamic scholars, it is permissible to give money to an agent or representative to purchase food on your behalf for the purpose of Zakat al-Fitr. The agent would then distribute the purchased food staples to the poor and needy. This is allowed as the ultimate goal of providing food to those in need is still being met.

This arrangement can be beneficial in situations where it may be more convenient or efficient for an individual to delegate the task of purchasing and distributing food to someone else, such as a local charity organization or a trusted community member. As long as the food reaches the intended recipients within the prescribed time frame for Zakat al-Fitr, it is considered valid and fulfills the obligation.

Issue Two: Giving cash donations to the poor in lieu of staple foods.

When it comes to giving cash donations directly to the poor instead of providing staple foods, there are two main positions among Islamic scholars:

1. The majority opinion: Most scholars hold that it is not permissible to give money instead of food items for Zakat al-Fitr, even if there is a need or benefit in doing so. They hold that the prescribed way of fulfilling this obligation, as mentioned in the Prophetic traditions, is by giving food items. They also hold that those who are typically poor and eligible to receive Zakat al-Mal, as long as they have enough to suffice them, must also give Zakat al-Fitr. Zakat al-Fitr should be paid to those who are in the most abject forms of poverty where they are not only below subsistence, but also are compelled to beg from others just to survive. 

Making Zakat al-fitr about cash distributions negates this objective and places a burden on those who are economically disadvantaged but still possess sufficiency and are mandated to give Zakat al-Fitr. The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to provide the abjectly poor with immediate sustenance during the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, and food items are considered the most suitable form of assistance in this regard. Those who object to cash distributions are fearful of the misuse of these funds for luxuries, when the purpose of this act of worship is to provide subsistence for the day, allowing people to not have to beg.

2. The minority opinion: Some scholars, however, argue that giving cash donations to the poor is permissible, as it allows them to purchase food or other necessities according to their specific needs. They believe that the spirit of Zakat al-Fitr is to help the poor and needy during the festivities, and cash donations can serve this purpose effectively. This opinion takes into consideration the changing circumstances and the fact that cash can provide more flexibility for the recipients.

While giving money to an agent to purchase and distribute food is permissible, directly giving cash to the poor instead of food items for Zakat al-Fitr remains a matter of scholarly debate. If you are giving to a major charity, then most likely and in most cases, they are purchasing food staples for distribution, and so your obligation is fulfilled. Be sure to inquire from the organization that you donate to as to which method they are using.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Zakat al-Fitr is a significant obligation for Muslims, serving as a means of purification and a way to support those in need during the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr. 

By understanding the rules and conditions surrounding this compulsory charity, we can ensure that we fulfill our religious duty in the prescribed manner. Giving Zakat al-Fitr allows us to uphold the principles of sincerity and selflessness, which are at the heart of this important act of worship.

May Allah accept our efforts and grant us the strength and sincerity to fulfill our duties towards Him and towards our fellow man.