37. All About Zakaatul-Fitr

By Asma bint Shameem

1. What is Zakaatul-Fitr?

Zakat al-fitr is an act of worship that is obligatory for every Muslim, young or old, man or woman, if he has enough wealth for himself and his family for one day and night, on the day of Eid.

He must pay one saa’ of a local staple food to the poor Muslims on behalf of himself and for EACH of his dependents.

The scholars said:

“Zakaat al-fitr is obligatory for every Muslim, to be paid on his own behalf and on behalf of those on whose maintenance he is obliged to spend, if he has wealth surplus to his and his dependents’ needs for the day and night of Eid: one saa‘.”
(Islamqa Fatwa # 207225)

Ibn ‘Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam enjoined zakaat al-fitr, a saa’ of dates, or a saa’ of barley, for EVERY MUSLIM, slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he enjoined that it be given before the people go out to the prayer.” [al-Bukhaari (1503) and Muslim (984)]

So if there’s a family of 6, for example, the head of the household must pay Zakaatul-Fitr X 6.

2. WHY do we give Zakaatul-Fitr?

First of all, Zakaatul-Fitr is given because it’s an ORDER of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam to ALL Muslims.

Secondly, the reason why we give Zakaatul-Fitr is because it’s a *purification* for any mistakes or shortcomings that we may have had in our fasting.

Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam enjoined zakaat al-fitr as a purification for those who fasted from idle or obscene talk, and so as to feed the poor.” [Abu Dawood (1609); hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood]

3. Zakaatul-Fitr as food or money?

Zakaat al-Fitr is supposed to be paid as FOOD, according to the majority of the scholars.
That’s the default.

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“At the time of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam we used to give one saa’ of food, or one saa’ of dates, or one saa’ of barley, or one saa’ of raisins.” (al-Bukhaari)

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“It is not permissible to pay the value in money, according to the majority of scholars; this view has the stronger evidence.
Rather it must be given in the form of food, as the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and his companions radhi Allaahu anhum did. This is also the view of the majority of the ummah.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 14/200)

4. How much is one saa’?

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“What is meant by a saa’ here is the saa’ of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, which is four times the amount that may be held in the two hands of a man of average build.” (The Standing Committee For Academic Research And Issuing Fatwas, 9/364)

This is equivalent to 2.1 kilograms according to Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen and about 3 kilograms according to Shaikh Ibn Baaz.

The difference is because a saa’ is a measure of “VOLUME”, and not “weight”. And different grains have different weights.

So it’s better to err on the side of caution if one can afford it and give 3 kilograms.

5. Can I give it as CASH, especially in these days when people have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus?

The basic principle is that Zakaat al-Fitr it to be paid as FOOD. HOWEVER, if there’s a NEED, like in unprecedented circumstances like these days, it’s permissible to give Zakaatul Fitr as CASH. You may also give it as CASH to an organization or an individual who will then distribute this as food to the poor.Or you may give them money.The price comes to about $10/- per person in the US.

Here’s what the AMJA’s Resident Fatwa Committee said about the issue:

“AMJA’s Resident Fatwa Committee has received a question regarding the permissibility of paying Zakat al-Fitr in cash to those in need during the crisis of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting economic downturn.

The Committee has deemed it permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr in cash if that is more beneficial to the recipient.

There is no doubt that people’s need of money is greater than that of food during the current economic situation.

Giving Zakat al-Fitr in cash is a view which dates back to the early generations as has been narrated by Abu Is-ḥāq al-Subā‘i, one of the most knowledgeable of the Tābi‘een who said, “I came in contact with them giving Zakat in cash instead of food.”

And al-Bukhari included a chapter in his Saheeh entitled “Zakat Paid in Kind,” in which Tāwoos related that Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the people of Yemen,
“Bring me charity in kind: clothing instead of barley and grain. It will be easier for you and better for the Prophet’s Companions in Madinah.”

This proves the permissibility of distributing (Zakat) based on its value.

This was also applied by the rightly-guided caliph ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Azeez, because he would instruct his governors to collect it in cash.

This is also the view of the Hanafis; and it was the opinion of Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, of the Hanbalis, so long as it is more beneficial for the needy.” (AMJA Fatwa # 87752)

6. Timing of Zakaatul-Fitr

Zakaatul-Fitr is due on the first of Shawwaal BEFORE Salaatul Eid.

But it’s permissible to pay it a day or two earlier, especially since a lot of people are giving Zakaat al-Fitr to organizations and it takes time to distribute it.

The recipients should receive this Zakaat al-Fitr before salaatul Eid.

Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam enjoined zakaat al-fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle and obscene speech, and to feed the poor.

Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is zakaat al-fitr, and whoever gives it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity.”
(Abu Dawood -hasan by al-Albaani)

Zakaatul- Fitr may be given even earlier than that, IF there’s a NEED for that.

AMJA Resident Fatwa Committee said:

“Additionally, we see no problem with distributing Zakat al-Fitr early—at the beginning of Ramadan–based on need, and because the reason for Zakat is present: that reason is fasting, which was mentioned by al-Shafi’i and his followers.

However, delaying payment of Zakat al-Fitr to just before Eid by a day or two is more in line with the Sunnah, according to the narration reported by al-Bukhari on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), who said, “They would give it before the Fitr by a day or two,” and in another narration reported in al-Muwatta, “…by two or three days.”
(AMJA Fatwa # 87752)

7. Local or overseas?

It’s allowed to send Zakaat al-Fitr overseas if it’s more needed over there.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“It should be given to the poor Muslims in the land where it is given, but it is permissible to send it to the poor in another land if the need is greater.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 9/369, 370)

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“There is nothing wrong with sending zakaat al-fitr to another country on the grounds that there are no poor people in one's own country. But if that is done even though there are poor people who need it in one's own country, then it is not permissible.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 18/question no. 102)

And Allaah knows best