The meaning of Zakaat al-Fitr and the appropriate times for paying it
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Ramadaan, the 9th month of the Hijri calendar, is well-known for Sawm (abstention from food and drink) and taraaweeh (prayers at night). However, besides concentrating more on the development of taqwaa (Allah ﷻ consciousness), not enjoying certain amenities of life for several hours, and being vigilant, there are other acts of worship particular to Ramadaan. One of these is Zakaat al-Fitr, also called Sadaqat al-Fitr. Zakaat al-Fitr is an obligation on every Muslim who possesses more than he needs, to give a specified portion towards the poor and the needy.
The word ‘fitr’ means breaking fast and it comes from the same root as the word ‘futoor’, which means breakfast. Zakaat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every individual Muslim who is capable of giving. In its simplest form, it means the charity given at the end of the fast Ramadaan.
Allah ﷻ instructed Muslims to pay Zakaat-al-Fitr for very important reasons. The most important reason is that it purifies the fasting person from the effects of useless speech (or acts) and improper behavior and speech that one may have engaged in during Ramadaan. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbas narrated:
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ طُهْرَةُ لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ اللَّغْوِ وَالرُّفْتِ وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِينِ ( أبو داود )
The Messenger of Allah ﷻ made Zakaat al-Fitr obligatory as a purification for the fasting person from useless, non-beneficial speech (or acts) and obscene speech (or behavior). and as a means of feeding the poor.”(Aboo Dawood)
The hadeeth shows another important function of Zakaat al-Fitr, to help the poor celebrate the joyous day of ‘Eed together with all other Muslims. It keeps the needy and poor people from having to beg on the day of ‘Eed.
Zakaat al-Fitr becomes obligatory with the coming of the night of the ‘Eed (i.e. the night before the 1st of Shawwal) and the best time for giving it is from the time of Fajr on the day of ‘Eed until just before the ‘Eed prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ commanded that Zakaat al-Fitr be given to people before they come out for prayer. Ibn ‘Abbas reported:
The Messenger of Allah said:
” من أداها قبل الصلاة فهي زكاة مقبولة، ومن أداها بعد الصلاة فهي صدقة من الصدقات ( أبو داود وابن ماجة )
“So whoever gives it before the (‘Eed) prayer, then it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever gives it after the prayer then it is a form of charity (sadaqah).” (Aboo Daawood and Ibn Majah)
It is best to give Zakaat al-Fitr before the ‘Eed prayer, but there is no problem in giving it a day or two prior to the day of ‘Eed. It is narrated in Al-Bukhaari and Muslim that Ibn ‘Umar used to give Zakaat al-Fitr one or two days prior to ‘Eed.
The late payment of Zakaat al-Fitr is disliked and not recommended. Whover pays it after the prayers, it will be counted as sadqah.
It is worth noting that Zakaat al-Fitr is a small amount that is obligatory only once a year. There is therefore no reason why anyone would not want to give it and derive the mercy and blessings of Allah ﷻ .
Allah says in the Glorious Qur’aan:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌۭ لَّا بَيْعٌۭ فِيهِ وَلَا خُلَّةٌۭ وَلَا شَفَـٰعَةٌۭ ۗ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ( سورة البقرة: ٢٥٤)
“O you who have believed, spend of that which We have provided for you, before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange [i.e. ransom] no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers-they are the wrongdoers” (Soorat al-Baqarah:254]
Allah’s ﷻ wisdom and guidance is an inspiration to all Muslims. Allah has stipulated the payment of Zakaat al-Fitr as a law that makes us come closer to Him by righteous actions. By giving Zakaat al-Fitr to the poor and needy, Allah ﷻ gives Muslims the opportunity to make up for any deficiences in their observance of the month of Ramadaan.
‘Eed al-Fitr is a day of joy and festivities. Allah ﷻ has made it possible for all Muslims, the wealthy and the poor to enjoy this day. Besides the many benefits that the payment of Zakaat al-Fitr holds for Muslims, there is also the tranquility in knowing that the needs of the poor have been fulfilled.
