How Zakat-ul-Fitr purifies a fasting person

Assalamu Alaikum!

Today’s talk, which is the last for this year, would focus on Zakat-ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan charity) and Eid-ul-Fitr (Sallah celebration after Ramadan).

Eid-ul-Fitr

Anas bn Malik (companion of the Prophet, pbuh) reported that Allah’s messenger (pbuh) came to Al-Madina while the people were engaged in a two-day game and told them that Allah had substituted something better for them, namely, the day of sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha) and the day of breaking the fast (Eid-ul-Fitr). Accordingly, acts and celebrations of all kinds are allowed on Sallah day, provided they are in accordance with the Shari’a (Islamic law). Those that could lead to sin or contradict Allah’s law or His Prophet’s (pbuh) teachings such as fornication and the consumption of alcohol are however not allowed on Sallah or any other day.

Upon the sighting of a new moon on the twenty ninth day of the month of Ramadan or after the thirtieth day of Ramadan fasting, the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration is held on the following day.

Commenting on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, Umma Atiya (a female companion of the prophet, pbuh) enjoined the young women, children, adult males and females, as well as menstruating women to participate in the goodness and supplications of Muslims; but the menstruating women are to refrain from the prayers. This means that no child or adult is exempted from the Eid prayer, which would normally be performed at an Eid praying ground on the outskirt of every town. This is the day of celebration when Muslims should come out en masse to show their number.

However, brothers and sisters in Islam should be reminded that Sallah day is not merely a day of celebration, but also a day on which mankind should seek Allah’s blessings and offer supplications to Him.

Eid prayer is two raka’at. The prayer is performed without Adhan and Iqama (the call to prayer and its beginning). Having formulated the intention (niyya), one utters Takbir – Allahu Akabar (Allah is most great) seven times in the first raka’a and five times in the second raka’a. The recitation of Du’a-ul-Istiftah (opening supplication as taught by the Prophet, pbuh) follows the first seven Takbirat and thereafter the recitation of the Holy Qur’an (Fatiha and Surah).

Bukhari reported in a hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) did not go out on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr unlike the day of Eid-ul-Adha, until he had had some food or dates. Therefore it is recommended that Muslims should eat before going to the Eid prayer ground.

The Prophet (pbuh) used to perform the ritual bath before going to the Eid prayer ground. He used to recite Allahu Akbaru-Allahu Akbar; La’ilaha’illallah. Allahu Akbaru-Allahu Allahu Akbar; walillahil hamdu. (Allah is great, Allah is great. There is none worthy of worship except him. Allah is great, Allah is great, All praises are due to Allah) on his way from his house up to the Eid prayer ground and back. The above recitation is to be continued upon arrival at the Eid prayer ground until the prayer begins. After the prayer, the recitation is to be continued until one return to one’s home.

The Imam will offer the Khutba (religious talk or sermon) after the Eid prayer. He will stand facing the people, who are recommended to remain seated in their rows, as he preaches to them and exhort them.

The Prophet (pbuh) used to offer two raka’at on his return home from the Eid prayer. Bukhari reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) would return home on an Eid day by a different route from the one he had taken when going out. The faithful are enjoined to follow the example of the Prophet (pbuh), that they may testify to the worship of Allah and make the splendor of Islam more prominent.

The above rulings on Eid-ul-Fitr are by no means exhaustive.

Zakat-ul-Fitr or Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (Fast breaking charity)

Zakat-ul-Fitr is an obligatory charity to be extended by all well-to-do Muslims to the less privileged before the prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr. It is valid when given before the Eid prayer, or two or three days before the Sallah day. The essence is to enable the poor Muslims to participate in the celebration, who may otherwise have nothing to put on the table on a day that all Muslims should be celebrating. The Prophet (pbuh) enjoined Muslims to give out Zakat-ul-Fitr to the poor, so that they are freed from going round begging on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) prescribed the Zakat-ul-Fitr payable by a slave, freeman, a male and a female, the young and the old among the Muslims upon coming to an end of Ramadan fasting, before going to Eid prayers, as one Sa’i (about 2.5 kilogramme) of dried dates or barley for all the family members irrespective of age and commanded that this should be given out before the Eid prayer. Therefore, if there are ten members in a family for instance, it means ten Sa’i should be given. Zakat-ul-Fitr is given out from the common food of a given community.

We should fear Allah to give out Zakatu-ul-Fitr from what we can afford. The person that can afford rice for example should not give out maize.

Ibn Abbas (companion of the Prophet, pbuh) reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) prescribed Zakat-ul-Fitr to purify the fasting person from empty and obscene talk that one might have engaged in during the month of Ramadan. It is also meant to feed the poor. If anyone gives it before the Eid prayer, it will be accepted as Zakat. If given after the prayer, it is counted as sadaqa (alms). This hadith is considered sound by Al-Hakim.

This implies that Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (fast breaking charity) given after Eid prayer does not absolve one from the obligation of Zakat-ul-Fitr, nor does one get the reward associated with it. However the act shall not go in vain, as one will get the reward of an ordinary act of charity. This is why it becomes important for all Muslims to give out the Zakat before Eid prayer or even three days before the Eid day.

This brings our contribution in the observance of the holy month of Ramadan this year to an end. We ask Allah to help us remember Him, thank Him properly, and earn His forgiveness with our Ramadan observances, that we may be saved from hell fire and celebrate our Sallah peacefully with the fear of Allah.

We sincerely appreciate our readers’ contributions to this work. Thank you very much, we shall inshaAllah come your way next year.

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