Some Muslims confused their annual Zakah with Zakatul-Fitr while some who understand the difference still observe the two in the month of Ramadan merely to attract more reward in the month of Ramadan. The latter though is acceptable but must not take the place of Zakaatul-Fitr. Zakat is the fouth pillar of Islam, the calculation of your 2.5% dues on your assets annually which is committed to charity. However, we should remember that Zakat becomes due, one year after a person’s wealth reaches the value of Nisab (minimum amount paid) and according to most scholars, a Muslim’s wealth has to remain above that Nisab level throughout the course of the year. This means he must be free from all indebtedness and liabilities. Again, it is done annually at a predetermined period. If one chooses to pay it in every Muharram or every Zhul-Qada, so be it. So, it is impossible for the whole Ummah to have reached the obligation of paying Zakah, at the beginning or end of Ramadan. We should be clear in our minds that this type of Zakah is not tied to the month of Ramadan. It can be anytime of the year. But paying it in Ramadan is more rewarding. An individual can bring forward his Zakah due date, in order to take advantage of the multi-fold blessings of Ramadan. In fact, to make it easy on the recipients whose needs have to be met, one might choose Ramadan for the extra Sadaqah he gives out. That does not mean he cannot give Zakatul- Fitr. The scope of Zakatul-Fitr on the other hand is charity we give for the purpose of celebrating the eid-ul-Fitr to the have nots. Zakatul-Fitr. It is obligatory at this time we are bidding farewell to Ramadan. That is why the suffix fitr is attached to it— to commemorate the occasion of breaking the fast. For the umpteenth time, a man has to pay on behalf of himself and his wife— even if she is wealthy on her own— and his children and parents, if they are poor, and his daughter, if she is married but the marriage has not yet been consummated. If his son is rich, he does not have to give Zakatul-Fitr on his behalf. A man has to give Zakatul-Fitr on behalf of a divorced wife, whose divorce process (Talaaq) is not yet concluded (i.e., she is still in the ‘iddah of a first or second talaaq). But not in the case of one whose divorce is finalised Zakatul-Fitr however is done with staple food consumable in a particular area. In this part of the world, grains such as rice, garri, beans etc are given as charity or its money equivalent. Every free Muslim must pay Zakatul-Fitr for himself, his wife, children, and dependants. It is only obligatory on those who have more than what is required to give as zakat-ul-Fitr. For example, if you have more than one bowl of staple food in your house, then it is obligatory upon you to give another Muslim who does not have. It should be given on one of the foodstuffs which is commonly consumed in the society. The popular measurement of it is four handful on behalf of one person. If it has to be given in money, although this is not encouraged but the societal demands and circumstances sometimes call for it, it has to be well-calculated that the appropriate money equivalent is given in accordance with the existing price of the desired foodstuff in the market; and at the right time too, to meet the immediate need and purpose to which it was given. A Muslim traveller is also enjoined to pay his zakat where he spends the last two days of Ramadan. If a person dies before Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, Zakatul-Fitr would not be obligatory upon him even if he had fasted all the days of the month, but if a child is born after Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, it would be obligatory to pay Zakatul-Fitr on his or her behalf. A man must pay on a wife whose divorce is not yet concluded. In essence, the rationale behind it is to make others happy during the festive period; it purifies the fasting Muslim from any shortcoming during the fast. And since every Muslim needs this, it is therefore obligatory on him whether rich or poor. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Make them (i.e. the poor and destitute) rich on the day of `Eid-ul-Fitri. Put succinctly, for anyone who has more than a bowl of staple food or excess of what he can take for a day at home is qualified to give fitrah to the poor and needy to make a happy celebration for all. “The Zakah are only for the Fuqaraa (poor), and the Masaakeen (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” Q9:60. You may also start from the time of fajr on the day of the ‘Eid but before the prayer.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:56:31 +0000
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