Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(95): “Ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr“

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(95) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

     "Ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr“    

Date: 9/9/1426 AH, corresponding to 12/10/2005.

 

 

Question:

What is the ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr ?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is the Zakat due in Ramadan on every Muslim who can afford to give it, whether young or old, male or female. Ibn Umar narrated: “Allah's Apostle enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the 'Id prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms approx).”{Bukhari}.

It has been enjoined for what is mentioned in the following Hadith: Ibn ’Abbas (RAA) 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. It is accepted as Zakah for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer and it is Sadaqah (i.e. voluntary charity) for the person who pays it after the Eid prayer." [Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih].

A Muslim is obliged to give for himself and on behalf of those whom he is obliged to provide for: wife, children,  his Muslim servants, and his baby who is born before the Eid prayer.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley or the like from the regular food of the people of that country.

A Muslim is free to choose from these items in accordance with his financial capability, and it is permissible to give the monetary value of the Sa`, so as to facilitate for Muslims and do what is best for the poor. The monetary value of the Sa` of each item is estimated by the circulated price of that item. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the regular food is wheat; therefore, the monetary value of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the year (2005) was estimated at six hundred and fifty fils as a minimum, and whoever gives more Allah will multiply his reward.

Its due time is after the sunset of Eid night and before the Eid prayer. This is based on the Hadith narrated by Ibn Umar: “The Prophet ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the 'Id prayer." {Bukhari}. However, it is permissible to give it during Ramadan to facilitate for the poor. And Allah knows best.

 

 

 

Iftaa` Board

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izzaldeen Al-Tamimi

Dr. AbdulMajeed Al-Salaheen

Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi

Dr. Yousef Ghyzaan

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Dr. Abdukareem Al-Khasawneh

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi

Sheikh Nae`im Mujahid

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Summarized Fatawaa

How should the udhiyah be distributed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is obligatory to give the poor a portion of the meat from a voluntary sacrifice (Udhiyah al-Tatawwu’), which should not be less than approximately half a kilogram of raw meat. Other parts do not suffice for this obligation, such as the liver, tripe, or intestines.
It is Sunnah for the one offering the sacrifice to divide it into thirds: one-third for himself and his household to eat, one-third to be given as charity to the poor, and one-third to be given as a gift to friends and neighbors, even if they are wealthy. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on preparing food for someone who is not fasting in Ramadan?

It is forbidden to prepare food for someone who is breaking their fast without a valid excuse in Ramadan.
Doing so would be assisting in sin, and assisting in sin is itself a sin.
Allah says {what means}: "but help ye not one another in sin and rancour" [Al-Mai`dah/2]

Who should pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) from the orphan`s money?

His/her guardian, and if the latter fails to do so, then the orphan himself/herself is obliged to pay the Zakah once he/she reaches puberty, and is capable of handling his/her own affairs. And Allah Knows Best.

If someone fasts on the White Days with the intention of making up for missed fasts (qada), will they receive the reward for both voluntary and obligatory fasting?

Making up missed obligatory fasts (qada) is mandatory, and the intention for qada must be specified.
If a person makes up their missed Ramadan fasts on the White Days, they must intend qada, but they may also intend to fast the White Days, and Allah willing, they will receive the reward for both.
This is similar to entering a mosque and praying an obligatory prayer, where the person also earns the reward of Tahiyyat al-Masjid (greeting the mosque) if they intend both.
● If the person missed their fasts due to a valid excuse, they may wait and fast on the White Days.
● However, if they missed the fasts without a valid excuse, they must make up the fasts immediately and should not delay them until the White Days.