Category Archives: Zakatul Fitr

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: Is zakat the responsibility of the husband, he being the one who distributes it on behalf of his wife and children?

A: What is apparent to me from the question is that she (the questioner) means zakat-ul-fitr. The people of knowledge have mentioned that it is obligatory on the husband to distribute it on behalf of his wife and those who he provides for from his children and close relatives.

Some of the people of knowledge say the zakat-ul-fitr is like other than it from the acts of worship made binding on a person specifically, unless the head of the home voluntarily undertakes the duty of distributing it on behalf of those residing in the home, as there is no objection to that and he is rewarded for the likes of such an action. Otherwise the foundation is the one being addressed with it -it’s obligation to fulfill- is the person burdened with accountability (for actions in front of Allah) himself.  

Ibn Umar said, “Allah’s messenger made binding zakat-ul-fitr a saa -3 liters- of dates, or 3 liters of barely on the male and female, the freed and the servant, the young and the old from the Muslims. He ordered that it be distributed before the peple go forth for the prayer.” Meaning the Eid Prayer. Thus Abdullah ibn Umar made clear that it is obligatory upon these individuals.

Translated by Abu Abdil Waahid Najeeb ibn Yusuf Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى في أحكام الصيام

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The sheikh was asked about zakat-ul-fitr, so he responded by saying:

Zakat-ul-Fitr is 3 liters of food (1) distributed at the end of Ramadan. The reason for doing so is to display thankfulness for Allah’s favor upon the servant due to the fast breaking of Ramadan and its completion, as a result it was named Zakat-ul-Fitr or sadaqat-ul-fitr. When the sun sets (ushering in) the night of Eid (2) it (Zakat-ul-Fitr) becomes obligatory. If a man has a child after the setting of the sun on the night of Eid, it is not binding upon him zakat-ul-fitr on his behalf (3), it is only recommended. And if a man dies before the setting of the sun on the night of Eid it is not obligatory upon him its distribution, this is because he died before the presence of the reason for its obligation.   

Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى في أحكام الزكاة

1: Zakat-ul-Fitr was legislated as foodstuff, not money nor juice.

Abdullah Ibn Umar said; Allah’s Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- made binding zakat-ul-fitr, as a sa’a (3 liters) of dates, or 3 liters of barely upon the servant and freed, the male and female, the young and old from the Muslims. He ordered that it be distributed before the people exit for the (eid) prayer. Collected by Al Bukhari and Muslim.   

Abu Saeed Al Khudri said; during the life of Allah’s Messenger we distributed on the day the fast was broken 3 liters of food. Collect by Al Bukhari.

One of the strangest things that I’ve seen since being in the south is the Muslims year after year stating that apple and grape juice are Zakat-ul-Fitr items. This is incorrect as Zakat-ul-Fitr items are foodstuff and not drink. 

2: The night comes before the day and not vice versa as is commonly practiced here in the west. So on the 29th day of Ramadan the moon will be sought in order to ascertain if we’re going into the 1st night of shawwal (the night of Eid) or completing 30 days of Ramadan.

3: A man gives Zakat-ul-Fitr for himself and his family members under his care to whom which he spends upon. Abdullah Ibn Umar said; Allah’s Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- ordered the distributing of sadaqat-ul-fitr from the young and old, the freed and the servant, from those under your care (who you’re obliged to spend upon and take care of). Collected by Al Baihaqi and Imaam Ad-Daaruqutni.

for further clarity on the amount of zakat-ul- fitr please visit the following:

Zakaat al-Fitr Measurements: One Saa’ = Three Litres, One Mudd = .75L

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: What is the ruling on leaving zakatul fitr with a neighbor (authorizing him to give it away on one’s behalf) til the poor person comes (to obtain it)?

A: It’s permissible for an individual to leave it with his neighbor while saying to him this is designated for so and so, and when he comes the neighbor gives it to him. However it must reach the hand of the poor person before the eid prayer due to him being an authorized agent of the giver of it. As for if the neighbor is authorized by a poor person, by the poor person saying fetch the zakatil fitr from your neighbor, in this case it is permissible for it to remain with the authorized agent (of the poor person) even if the people exit from (completing) the eid prayer.

Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى في احكام الزكاة  

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: What’s the ruling concerning he who forgets to distribute zakatul fitr, and as a result does not give it except (after remembering) during the khutbah well after the Eid prayer?

A: The distributing of zakatul fitr before the prayer is obligatory. So whoever forgets to do so there is nothing upon him besides its distribution after that (he remembers) due to it being compulsory. Thus it is binding upon him to give it after he remembers. Furthermore it is not permissible for anyone to deliberately delay giving it until after the prayer based on the most correct of the two statements (from the scholars of fiqh) because of the Messenger’s -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- command to distribute it before the prayer.

Source: http://www.alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?languagename=ar&View=Page&PageID=61&PageNo=1&BookID=12

Translated by Najeeb ibn Yusuf Al Anjelesi