Resolution No. (259)(12/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"The Amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the Year 1439"
Date: 8/Ramadan/1439 AH, corresponding to 24/5/2018 AD.
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On the above date, the Board reviewed the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitrfor the year (1439 AH), corresponding to (24/5/2018), and after deliberations it decided the following:
Zakat-ul-Fitr is a religious obligation and a manifestation of social solidarity which characterizesour tolerant Sharia; particularly in the blessed month of Ramadan; the month of good deeds and kindness. Therefore, it is an obligation on every Muslim who owns extra provisions beyond his need as well as the need of everyone in his family on the day and night of Ed-ul-Fitr. In other words, one father should pay for himself and for whom he supports, even for his baby who is born before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan as well as his poor parents whom he supports.
Ibn `Umar narrated: "Allah's Messenger (PBUH) made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr." {Related by Bukhari}.
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RAA) narrated: “We used to offer it (Zakat-ul-fitr) during the lifetime of the Prophet as one sa’ of food or one sa' of dates, or one sa' of barley or one sa' of raisins’’ {Agreed upon}.
Therefore, the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr is one Sa` of food. {Sa` equals 2.5 Kgs.}. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the common food is wheat. Therefore, Zakat-ul-Fitr is (2.5 Kgs.) of wheat on every person. It is also permissible to give one Sa` of rice since it is common food. Moreover, it is permissible to give thevalue of this amount in cash.
The Board estimates the value of the Sa` from the common food in Jordan as (1800 F.), and whoever wishes to pay more shall have a greater reward from Allah, The Almighty.
The preferred time for giving Zakat-ul-Fitr is between the sunset of the last day of Ramadan and the E`ed prayer. It is also permissible to give it from the beginning of Ramadan.
Nowadays, it is the duty of every Muslimto observe this ritual (Zakat-ul-Fitr) forit purifies the soul from any indecent act. Therefore, it must be given on behalf of the child, who isn`t obliged to fast, as well as the sick who is unable to fast. Ibn ’Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) enjoined Zakat-ul-fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy “ {Abu Dawood}. Giving it to the poor makes them self-sufficient on the day of E`ed. Therefore, a Muslim should give it willingly and kindly.
The Board estimates the ransom (Saum Fidyah) for breaking fastby those unable to fast due to old age or sickness (people exempted from fasting), as (1 JD at the minimum) for each missed day, and whoever wishes to give more shall receive a greater reward from Allah, The Almighty.
We pray that Allah, The Almighty, Accepts our acts of devotion and Erases our sins. And Allah Knows Best.
The Iftaa` Board (2017)
Chairman: Dr Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, Grand Mufti of Jordan
Sheikh Abdulkareem Khasawneh/ Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/Member
Prof.Abdulnaser Abulbasal/Member
Dr.Moh.Khair Al-Esa/ Member
Dr. Majid Drawsheh/Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Hijawi/Member
Judge Khalid Woraikat/Member
Dr. Mohammad al-Zou`bi/Member
