Welcome
Introduction
Zakat
Zakat-ul-Fitr
|
|
Zakat al-Fitr (Charity of Ramadan)
Ramadan is the golden opportunity for the Muslim to amass spiritual virtues
and rewards, by fasting during the days, spending the nights in prayer,
reciting Quran, giving more charity, and above all become a better human
being by being good to others and refraining from any behavior to the
contrary. However it is human to err, which may be a slip of tongue, or
an inadvertent glance or just a wayward thought, which may be feared to
denigrate the brightness of the day of Eid.
Another cause for concern for the Eid day is whether it will continue
to be a day of undeclared fasting for the have-nots in the society. Islam
desires otherwise, and insists that everyone in the community - rich and
poor - should take part in this celebration with full heart and stomach.
Both these concerns are met by Islam in a complimentary manner through
the institution of Zakat-ul-Fitr. It is the charity paid at the
end of the month of Ramadan. On the one hand it purifies the fasting person
from any small wrong-doings that would have lessened the virtue of the
month of Ramadan. On the other hand it ensures that no one in the community
go hungry on the day of Eid.
Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim irrespective of age who
has more than enough food for his day and night. (Some include the fetus
in the womb too in the obligation.) For each person the amount due is
one saa, or approximately three kilograms of staple food prevalent in
that area, be it rice, barley, wheat and so on. This can also be paid
in equivalent cash instead.
Zakat-ul-Fitr can be paid from one or two days before Eid upto the time
of Eid prayer. After that it will not be considered as Zakat-ul-Fitr,
but just as usual charity. The recipients for Zakat-ul-Fitr are the poor
and the needy, as that for the general Zakat. It is common practice to
collect and distribute Zakat-ul-Fitr in an organized fashion.
| << |
Previous Page
|
Next Page
|
>> |
|
|
|
