Zakatul Fitri And Etiquettes Of Eid

*ZAKATUL-FITRI AND ETIQUETTES OF ‘EID*

*Part 1⃣*

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL

Praise be to God, Who says

(قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكَّى (14) وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّى )
But those will prosper who purify themselves, And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer.(87:14-15).

I bear witness there is no god but Allah alone without partner, and that Muhammad (pbuh) is His servant and Messenger, who enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on those who fast to shield them from any indecent act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him and his families and all his companions, and those who follow them in righteousness until the day of recompense.

As to what follow,

Dear faithful, I enjoin you and myself to fear Allah, the Almighty both outwardly and inwardly.

Allah says:

"  يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ (102) " {آل عمران : 102}
“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].” (3: 102)

Dear brothers and sisters in faith, the last part of Ramadan have some recommended acts of worship peculiar to it and among these is the *zakatul-fitri* which should performed close to the eidul-fitri. It is suppose to serve as reparation for any shortcoming in one’s fasting and provision for the needy.

*Zaktul-Fitri: Definition of terms:*

Linguistically the word zakat means: blessing, growth, purification and the best of a material.

Allah says: “But those will prosper who purify themselves.” (87: 14)

Allah also says:

(خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا) “
Of their goods, take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; (9: 103)

Technically it is described as the obligatory due on wealth. (Mugniy)

The word *_Fitr_* refers to break of fast, thus when it is attached to zakat as zakatul-fitri, it means the charity given at the end of Ramadan as purification for the body and soul.

Technically as well, *zakatul-fitr* could be described as the payable amount prescribed by the shariah to be paid by a Muslim as purification for his body and soul for himself and everyone he caters for, occasioned by breaking of fasting at the end of Ramadan in a manner prescribed.

*Legal Classification*

It is classified as a compulsory duty enjoined by the messenger of Allah (pbuh). Ibn 'Umar reported that the Prophet (pbuh) made Zakat ul-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Sa' of dried dates or one Sa' of barely, he ordered it should be paid before go out for the (eid) prayer.” (Bukhari)

*The philosophy behind its legislation*

Zakatul-fitri affects both the payer and the receiver, it purifies the person who fasted both rich and poor from obscenity and lewdness. It is likened to the sujudu-s-sahw (reparation prostration) which is used to restore or make up for any shortcomings in the fasting. As for the wealthy person who fasted, Allah purifies him, while the poor gets back provision beyond what he spent in his payment of the zakatul-fitr. Zakatul-Fitr also has addition benefit of blessing for both the payer and receiver.

Ibn Abbas narrated thus: “The Prophet of Allah enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on those who fast to shield them from any indecent act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the one who pays it before the `Eid prayer, and it is sadaqah for the one who pays it after the prayer.” (Abu Dawood & Ibn Majah)

In order to satisfy the purpose of enrichment for the poor and protect them from begging on the day of joy and celebration in the community, it must be paid before attendance of people at prayer. Ibn Umar (RA) said: “The messenger of Allah (pbuh) instructed us to pay the zakatul-fitr before people move out for prayer.” Ibn Umar used to pay to those who collect it, and they used to pay it a day or two before the end of Ramadan.” (Bukhari)

*The wisdom behind legislating the value to be a Sa’ as the basic quantity per head* is that during the three days of eid and a few days thereafter people do not engage in occupational and trading activities, thus the poor man would not find who to employ him, as people are felicitating and resting after a month of fasting. And what is obtainable from a the measure of a saa’ used to make bread ... would be adequate for a poor person for four days "(Nihaayatul Muhtaaj, 3/121).

In addition, the quantity for Zakat al-Fitr is small and easier for people from most of their staple food, so that the largest possible number of people in a community could carry out this duty. 

*To be Continued..