Zakat al-Fitr: a Purification of your Fasts

The Messenger of Allah enjoined Zakaat al-fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle speech and obscene talk, and to feed the poor. Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood.

AMOUNT
The amount to be paid in Zakat al-Fitr is one Sa’ (3 kg. approx.) of dates, barley, raisins, cheese or any staple food.

TIME
It begins after sunset of the last day of Ramadan, marking the first night of Shawwal, and ends with the Eid Salaat. This is based on the fact that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) ordered it to be paid before the Eid Salaat.

Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) reported the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, « If anyone pays it before the Salah (of Eid), it will be accepted as Zakaat. If anyone pays it after the Salaat, that will be a Sadaqah (charity) like other Sadaqahs.» (Abu Dawood [1609])

However, it may be paid two or three days before that time based on the Hadith in which Ibn Umar (radhi allahu anhu), who said, “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) imposed Sadaqatul-Fitr in Ramadan.” He said at the end of the narration, «They used to pay it a day or two in advance.» ( Saheeh al-Bukhare [1511])
Thus, whoever delays paying it is sinful and has to repent to Allah and pay it to the poor.

To WHOM
It should be given to poor Muslims in the country where the person paying it lives and may be given to poorer Muslims of another country.
The Imam of the Masjid as well as any trustworthy person may collect it and distribute it to the poor provided that it is received by those deserving it before the Eid Salaat.
Its value is not subject to inflation as it is estimated by Shari`ah to be one Sa’.

EXEMPTED
Those who have no more than the foodstuff necessary for themselves and their families and sufficient only for the day of Eid are exempted from paying it.
It may NOT be added to the funding of building a mosque or any other charitable enterprise.

NOTE
The above information is adpated from two Fatawa of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta |

• Group 1 > Volume 9: Funerals and Zakah > Zakah > Zakat-ul-Fitr > The amount to be paid as Zakat-ul-Fitr
• Group 1 > Volume 9: Funerals and Zakah > Zakah > Zakat-ul-Fitr > The time of paying Zakat-ul-Fitr