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 is the meat of the 'aqīqah to be distributed?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
If the 'aqīqah is a recommended one (mandūbah), it is obligatory to give some portion of it in charity to the poor — even if the amount is small — with the minimum being approximately half a kilogram of meat.
The most preferable manner of distribution is to divide it into three equal portions, as with the uḍḥiyyah:
 
One third for the guardian and his household to eat from
One third to be given in charity to the poor
One third to be gifted to friends and neighbours, even if they are wealthy
 
It is furthermore more preferable to send the food to the poor already cooked, rather than inviting them to come and eat. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for women to gather in one of their homes to pray Tarawih?

Yes, it is recommended (mustahabb) for women to pray Tarawih in congregation if they gather, even if it is not in the mosque.
In fact, praying at home is better for them, as it avoids the potential concerns associated with going to the mosque.

What is the meaning of the word aqiqah?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah in its linguistic sense refers to the hair upon the head of a newborn at the time of birth.
In its Sharī'ah sense, it refers to the livestock that is slaughtered on behalf of a newborn child.
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What are the categories of the livestock permissible for Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is not valid except from Al-An’am (livestock), which are: camels, cattle, and sheep/goats. Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "And for every nation We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of beast-livestock." [Al-Hajj/34]
The best of them are camels, then cattle, then sheep/goats. A sacrifice of a camel or a cow avails for seven people. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "We sacrificed with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in the year of Al-Hudaybiyah a camel for seven and a cow for seven." [Narrated by Muslim] And Allah the Almighty knows best.