Ramafan day 26 Rulings of Zakaatul-Fitr

The scope of worship in Islam is universal, in the literal sense. For the Quran tells us that each and every constituent of creation near or far, seen or unseen, animate or inanimate­­­­ - worships The True and Only God. “Indeed, every being in the heavens and the earth but comes to the All-Merciful as a worshipper.”  [Quran; 19: 93] It is only human beings, then, that are called upon to voluntarily join in the wonderful symphony of worshipful creation.

Islam's five pillars are the cornerstones upon which we build such an outstanding and worshipful life. But no such establishment of a dignified life of faith on earth, either personally or socially, can take place without one essential pillar that represents the intersection of our professed convictions and our practical lives. Zakaah is that pillar, for it is the primary instrument that Allaah has placed at our disposal to spiritually and socially uplift every Muslim and the entirety of our community and thereby to assert a benevolent hand for the commonweal of humanity. Among Zakaah's most blessed manifestations - and certainly its most widespread - is the obligatory annual giving of the Zakaatul-Fitr charity, before the solemnizing of Ramadan by 'Eed prayer.

The Overarching Meaning of Zakaah

The Arabic word 'Zakaah' means 'purity,' 'cleansing,' 'wholesomeness,' and 'integrity' (in both their physical and moral senses). It means, also, 'growth' or 'increase.' Understanding these linguistic meanings helps our proper appreciation of what Zakaah is as a financial, or fiduciary rite mandated by Allaah. For, indeed, each of these senses finds its native expression in Zakaah's correct function in our lives and in our local communities and societies. It is known also by the term Sadaqatul-Fitr, or the Sincere, or Righteous Charity of Fast Breaking, because it testifies to one's sincerity to Allaah and his or her righteousness in seeking to comply with Allaah's legislation, or Sanctioned Laws and legislations.

Zakaah's primary goal is not that of simple "charity." Allaah has instituted other mechanisms for this purpose. Rather, Zakaah is much farther seeing and reaching. Its objective is to secure the psycho-spiritual well-being of every single Muslim as an individual servant of Allaah, and to safeguard the socio-moral welfare of the entire Muslim nation.

The reason that the objectives of Zakaah are so profound and sweeping is that its principle is so universally sound and materially decisive. Zakaah is the incumbent giving of wealth, in all its material manifestations, from all those who have it (and this is its comprehensive aspect) to all those whose need gives them a right to a minimally dignifying sum from it—and this is its deeper significance. For it means that Allaah has chosen to invest the wealth of some of us, for lawful increase, with others among us as a trust that must be conveyed to its rightful beneficiaries, if our own holdings are to remain pure and our societies are to have integrity.

What is, indeed, so profound about this is that it underscores to humanity that all of its wealth, in fact, is disbursed to it on loan from Allaah, who, as the Creator, is the sole Owner of life and all that the living possess. Allaah has revealed this pillar of faith to every believing community in history. But He has expanded it into an inclusive, highly systematized institution enjoined upon all who would follow Islam.

The Sum of Zakaatul-Fitr

Originally, the stated amount of Zakaatul-Fitr was a Saa' of dates, or barley, or wheat. A Saa' was a "goblet," or drinking utensil, at the time of the Prophet . There have been periodic inquiries by Muslim scholars (like the well-known investigation by Abu Yoosuf, the great Hanafi scholar) to determine updated weight-and-measure equivalents to that of the of Saa' at the time of the Prophet . There is some minimal discrepancy, or difference, in determining this weight based upon the conversion of quantities of varying items (dates and wheat, for example) into a unified measure. Thus a Saa' is now estimated to be equal to anywhere from 2.176 to 2.25 kilograms, or just under 5 lbs.

There is, however, an opinion in the Hanafi school of jurisprudence with regard to determining the correct amount of Zakaatul-Fitr that specifies a half a Saa' of harvested wheat grain or its flour, but one full Saa' for items such as barley, dates, and raisins. However, this was based on the availability, or scarcity, of these items at the time this opinion emerged. Hence, the price of the staple items by which Zakaatul-Fitr is determined must be reconsidered in contemporary circumstances to the advantage of the Zakaat-Fitr recipients.

The classical Maaliki, Shaafi'ee and Hanbali positions on the type of Zakaatul-Fitr offering discusses payment only in terms of weights and measures of provisions, or foodstuffs. It is the Hanafi opinion, however, that holds sway in this matter, which states that Muslims may give the price of Zakaatul-Fitr, originally determined for grains and dates, in contemporary currency equivalents. They argue this position on the basis of a higher good or more practicable benefit, saying that money enables the needy person to buy what he or she deems to be most desirable or necessary on the day of 'Eed. They point out that a person may, for example, not be in need of a provision of corn, or the like, but rather in want of clothing, or meat, etc.

Who is liable for the Zakaatul-Fitr Payment

As we have noted previously, every Muslim is liable for the payment of Zakatu-Fitr, provided food exists for one, and one's dependents, for 'Eed eve and the following day. Knowing now what a Saa' is, in terms of its contemporary weight equivalents, we can be more exact in defining who is liable to make the Zakaatul-Fitr payment. Every Muslim, whether rich or poor, who possesses (or has stored on his behalf) grains, or similar foodstuffs - or the monetary means of achieving the like of this - sufficient for one's sustenance, and that of one's dependents for a full night and day, must give Zakaatul-Fitr.

This sum is due not per household, but per person. The Prophet said: "Give Zakaatul-Fitr on behalf of [all your] dependents" [Al-Bayhaqi], for he indicated that Zakatul-Fitr would purify the wealth of the rich and be the cause of Allaah giving more to the poor than what they have given. Thus whoever meets the feeding requirements for his or her family must pay the Zakaatul-Fitr payment for each and every household member.

The Shaafi'ee and the Hanbali schools of jurisprudence state that a Muslim should give the Zakaatul-Fitr payment on behalf of him - or herself and on behalf of every single person under his or her care—including one's wife; children (even if they are older but still dependent, or ineligible to make the payment according to Zakaatul-Fitr requirements); parents (if they are poor or dependent); and any others who are established dependents of the household (such as foster children, orphans, and the like).

 When is the Payment Due

Imaams Ash-Shaafi'ee and Ahmad state that the Zakaatul-Fitr payment becomes obligatory after sunset on 'Eed's eve, or the last day of fasting, because this is the end of Ramadan. Abu Haneefah (and also Ash-Shaafi'ee in an earlier opinion of his) held that the sum of Zakaatul-Fitr becomes obligatory at the dawn of 'Eed day because it is reported that the Prophet commanded his Companions to pay Zakaatul-Fitr before going out to perform the prayer of 'Eed [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]. (Therefore, if one has a newborn before the dawn of 'Eed, or one dies after the sunset of the final day of fasting, his or her Zakaatul-Fitr must be paid, according to Abu Haneefah ).

Also, according to Abu Haneefah it is possible to pay Zakaatul-Fitr in Ramadan in advance of Zakaatul-Fitr, or even just prior to the commencement of Ramadan. Ash-Shaafi'ee however, holds that Zakaatul-Fitr can be given on the first day of fasting Ramadan. Imaams Maalik and Ahmad state that its payment becomes obligatory after the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, but can be paid one or two days earlier.

Where Should Zakaatul-Fitr Be Paid?

In general, the best place for the collection and distribution of one's Zakaah and charity—and this includes Zakaatul-Fitr—is one's locality or community, be it in one's city, state, or country. This is strongly implied in the statement of the Prophet in sending the famed Companion Mu'aath Ibn Jabal to teach the people of Yemen. He said to him, "Inform them that Allaah has made the paying of Zakaah obligatory on them. Take it from their rich and give it to their poor."

There are provisions for transferring Zakaah resources to other communities among Muslims; however, special guidelines for doing so have been established by Muslim scholars in accordance with Islamic legislation, to which the institutions responsible for the collection and distribution of Zakaah among Muslims are to adhere.

Zakaatul-Fitr A Favorable Sign for Our Community

The reemergence of Muslim concern for the paying and collection of all Zakaah resources and charities—especially Zakaatul-Fitr —is an auspicious sign, indeed, for the Muslim community. Zakaah has increasingly taken a central place in contemporary Muslim discourse, as its dynamic (almost miraculous) possibilities are again being realized by Muslims. At least seven conferences on this topic have taken place in Kuwait (and others in Pakistan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) in recent decades. Their focuses have been diverse. A good summary of their scholarly recommendations concerning Zakaatul-Fitr, however, is represented in the Sixth International Conference on Contemporary Zakaah Issues held in Kuwait in 1997. They are summed up herein to augment this look at one of the most blessed and pleasing expressions of our worship, to which Allaah alone has guided us. And all goodness and truth is from Him alone.

Summary of the Recommendations of the Sixth International Conference on Contemporary Zakaah Issues(Kuwait, 1997)

1. Zakaatul-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim who has the food or provision to sustain himself, and those whom he is obligated to support, on the eve and the day of 'Eed, provided that this exceeds his basic needs.

2. A man is obliged to pay Zakaatul-Fitr for his wife and minor children who have no money of their own. In the case of one who has independent children, one is not obliged for their payment.

3. What is obligatory is the giving of a Saa' (four handfuls) of dates, barley, raisins, or other such grain, equal to approximately 2.25 kilograms of wheat. Originally, the giving of Zakaatul-Fitr was limited to the kinds of food that had been stated in the relevant statement of the Prophet . However, jurists have established (through proper methods) that it may be given out of other commonly consumed foods, such as rice, meat, milk and so forth, but should be valued in accordance with the items specified by the Prophet . Moreover, it is permissible to give Zakaatul-Fitr in currency by paying the equivalent value of what is obligated. Those Muslim Institutions entrusted with its collection and distribution are required to assess the value of the originally specified items in their areas, and to disseminate that information in their communities, accordingly.

4. Zakaatul-Fitr must be given before the prayer of 'Eed. It is forbidden to delay it until after the 'Eed day. If one, for any reason, is prevented from giving it at that particular time, one must pay it after that time passes. If there is a need, Zakaatul-Fitr may be given at any time from the beginning of the month of Ramadan that is, its first day—until the end of the specified time [of 'Eed day].

5. It is permissible for one to delegate another to give Zakaatul-Fitr on one's behalf.

6. It is permissible for the institutions that collect Zakaatul-Fitr to exchange it from goods to currency, and vice versa, based on the general interest of the community.

7. It is permissible, in special cases, to transfer Zakaatul-Fitr collections from the people or locality in which it was collected to nearby communities in more need. And it is equally permissible to spend Zakaatul-Fitr in another community, if the giving community has no one in need of it.

8. One must have a clear intention before giving one's Zakaatul-Fitr. If one delegates, or gives permission, to another to give Zakaatul-Fitr on his behalf, it is considered an explicit intention.

9. If the community decides, after due process of consultation among its leadership and scholars, to delay the spending of what it has collected from Zakaatul-Fitr payments until after the day of 'Eed, then this may be done, provided that it serves a clear benefit for the community.

10. The Zakaatul-Fitr payment should be dedicated to the poor and the needy. In some cases, however, it can be given to eligible recipients of Zakaat of wealth; namely those stated by Allaah in the following verse (which means): "for the poor and the needy, and for those who work [to administer it], and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for freeing captives (or slaves), and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allaah, and for the wayfarer…" [Quran 9:60]