Zakat stands as one of the most significant obligatory acts of worship for Muslims due to numerous reasons including the attainment of blessings, the strengthening of bonds of brotherhood among Muslims and achieving social solidarity through the assistance provided by the wealthy to the poor. There exist diverse designated channels for Zakat which Allah SWT has specified and specific conditions apply to it, furthermore, there is a particular type of Zakat known as Zakat al-Fitr. In this article, we will discuss how much is Zakat Eid Ul Fitr and when it should be paid out.
What is Zakat al-Fitr and Why is it Paid?
Zakat al-Fitr is an obligation upon every Muslim, consisting of a specific amount of staple food disbursed to the poor at the end of Ramadan before the Eid prayer. It is paid because it offers numerous benefits, including expiating the sins a Muslim might have committed during Ramadan, serving as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscene speech, providing sustenance for the needy, acting as a means of mending hearts, bringing joy and happiness to the hearts of Muslims and providing ease for them during the celebration.
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How Much is Zakat Eid Ul Fitr?
Some individuals want to know how much is Zakat Eid Ul Fitr. This Zakat is estimated to be approximately one Sa’ of food which is equivalent to about 3 kilograms or roughly four full cupped handfuls. This estimation is based on what was reported in the Sahihayn from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:
كنا نعطي في عهد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم صاعًا من طعام، أو صاعًا من تمر أو صاعًا من شعير أو صاعًا من زبيب
[We used to give during the time of the Prophet PBUH, one Sa’ of food, or one Sa’ of dates, or one Sa’ of barley, or one Sa’ of raisins.]
Scholars have clarified that it is permissible to give out this same measure of food based on the staple available in each country, for example, 3 kilograms of rice, because the fundamental objective of this act is for the wealthy to assist the poor.
Who must pay Zakat al-Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim regardless of their age, encompassing both the old and the young and similarly, there is no distinction between male and female regarding this obligation. The only exception is the fetus in the womb, upon whom it is not obligatory, although it is recommended to pay Zakat on behalf of the fetus as well, an act notably performed by our master Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him.
When must Zakat al-Fitr be paid?
There is a specific time for paying Zakat al-Fitr which is one or two days before the end of Ramadan according to the opinion of most scholars, meaning starting from the night of the twenty-eighth of Ramadan, since the month might be complete with thirty days or consist of twenty-nine days. It is stipulated that it must be paid out before the Eid prayer and paying it afterward is not considered valid, as it is authentically narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said:
فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم زكاة الفطر طهرة للصائم من اللغو والرفث، وطعمة للمساكين فمن أداها قبل الصلاة فهي زكاة الفطر، ومن أداها بعد الصلاة فهي صدقة من الصدقات
[The Messenger of Allah PBUH enjoined Zakat al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscene speech and as food for the needy. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is accepted Zakat and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is a form of charity (Sadaqah).] (Narrated by Abu Dawud, graded Hasan by Al-Albani).
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To whom is Zakat al-Fitr given?
Zakat al-Fitr is considered obligatory for the poor among Muslims who do not possess their daily sustenance or the needy who lack the basic necessities of life, such as food, drink, clothing and shelter.
Can i give Zakat to my brother?
Yes, certainly, but he must be eligible for Zakat by being poor or having debts that he cannot repay and it is also required that he is not among those whose financial maintenance is obligatory upon you.
Is it permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr in cash?
there are two main opinions concerning this issue: Hanafi opinion found that it is ok if the person paid it in cash. this is also the opinion of al Bukhary and many other scholars. On the other hand the other schools of Fiqh; , Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali said that paying Zakat al-Fitr in cash is not permissible under any circumstances. It must be given out in the form of food as commanded by the Prophet PBUH and as practiced by his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, after him.
Scholars have differed in their estimation of the quantity as Imam Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, viewed that it is estimated at approximately 2.1 kilograms, whereas Imam Ibn Baz estimated it at about 3 kilograms. This difference arises because the Sa’ is a measure of volume, not weight, meaning its weight varies depending on the type of grain and whether it is new or old as the more cautious approach is to adopt the larger estimate.
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Do you pay Zakat on loaned money?
Yes, Zakat is payable if the borrowing person is solvent, acknowledges taking the loan and intends to return it to its owner if requested; however, if the person is insolvent and unable to return the money, or if he denies the existence of the loan altogether and you cannot retrieve it from him, then no Zakat is due upon you.
Can you pay Zakat al-Fitr on Eid?
It is permissible to pay it out before the Eid prayer, but it is not permissible to pay it out afterward; therefore, delaying it until that specific time is not advisable and it is recommended to pay it a day before Eid.
How to measure zakat ul fitr?
Initially, one must determine the amount of Zakat al-Fitr due per person which is estimated at approximately 3 kilograms of staple food. Subsequently, we calculate the total number of individuals in the family and give out the corresponding total amount for everyone combined.
What is Zakat al mal?
It is a type of Zakat that is paid out on the wealth possessed by an individual, estimated at approximately 2.5% of the saved wealth after a lunar year has passed over it.
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Who pays Zakat al-Fitr husband or wife?
The husband is considered responsible for paying Zakat al-Fitr for himself, his wife and his children, as he is the head of the household and responsible for its care. This is because Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon a Muslim for himself and for those whose maintenance is obligatory upon him. It should be noted, however, that if the wife is still residing in her father’s house, then her maintenance falls upon her father and is not obligatory upon the husband, because it is stipulated that the husband must have received his wife and she must have enabled him access to herself.
Who is not eligible for Zakat?
Those who are not entitled to Zakat are wealthy individuals who possess sufficient means to cover their needs adequately.
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