Zakat al-Fitr is the charity to be given to the poor at the end of the Ramadan fast. Every Muslim is required to pay Zakat al-Fitr at the conclusion of fasting in the month of Ramadan.
Introduction
One important act of worship that is associated with the Ramadan fast is Zakat al-Fitr. Zakat al-Fitr is the charity to be given to the poor at the end of the Ramadan fast. Every Muslim is required to pay Zakat al-Fitr at the conclusion of fasting in the month of Ramadan.
Who are to pay Zakat al-Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is compulsory on every adult and conscious person who is neither poor nor a slave. It is required of the head of the family to give it out on behalf of himself as well as on behalf of all those who are dependent on him.
In accordance with the verdict of the Islamic Jurists, the payment of Zakat al-Fitr is not compulsory on a needy person who cannot meet up his own expenses. However, for someone who has 3 Kgs of staple food (such as wheat, rice, etc.) or its equivalent value, it is permissible (mustahabb) for him to pay it as Zakat al-Fitr. And if he has some dependent (s) in his family, he may circulate it among his family members with the intention of Zakat al-Fitr and it is preferable that the last member give it to an individual that does not belong to the same family[1].
Time of Zakat al-Fitr
When the sighting of the new moon of the month of Shawwal is established, one can separate the Zakat al-Fitr. For the person who shall offer the Eid prayer, the obligatory precaution is to pay Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer. But for a person who does not perform the Eid prayer, he has time until ‘noon’ of Eid day to pay it[2].
Items that can be given as Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr can be given from wheat, barely, date, rice, or any staple food in a region. However, It is not necessary to pay it from the mostly consumed food. The equivalent price of such food items can also be given in cash as well[3].
Amount of Zakat al-Fitr
For himself as well as on behalf of each dependent, a person should pay one Sa’a (approximately 3 Kgs) of food commonly consumed by people (like wheat, barley, date, currant, rice, corn, etc.) or its equivalent value to a needy person[4]. That is, for every member of a family, 3 Kgs or its equivalent value should be paid. For instance, for a family of 3 members, 9 Kgs of food must be paid.
Recipients of Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr is given to those who can receive Zakat. There are eight categories of the recipients of Zakat al-Fitr:
1. The poor: Those who do not have enough for their basic needs
2. The destitute: Those who become weaker or who are under hardship of insolvency
3. Zakat collectors
4. Those who need special attention and kind treatment so that their hearts become inclined to Islam
5. Freeing slaves
6. Those unable to pay their debts
7. Spending in the cause of Allah
8. Travellers who run out of money and the handicapped
Important Notes:
It is not compulsory to give all of Zakat al-Fitr to one person. It can be shared among a number of poor people. However, based on recommended precaution, a poor person should not be given less than 3 Kgs or its equivalent. There is no harm if more than that is given to him.
It is Mustahab that while giving Zakat al-Fitr; one give preference to his poor relatives and neighbours.
It is not necessary that the receiver of Zakat al-Fitr be ‘ādil (just). Anyhow, the obligatory precaution is not to pay Zakat al-Fitr to a person who openly commits major sins.
Footnotes:
[1] https://www.leader.ir/en/book/27/Rules-of-Fasting (Ruling No: 228)
[2] https://www.leader.ir/en/book/27/Rules-of-Fasting (Ruling No: 234)
[3] https://www.leader.ir/en/book/27/Rules-of-Fasting (Ruling No: 232)
[4] https://www.leader.ir/en/book/27/Rules-of-Fasting (Ruling No: 233)