11-19-2003, 01:17 PM
It means the amount of alms becomes compulsory upon fast breaking from Ramadan. It is obligatory for each Muslim, young, old, male, female, free or enslaved. Bukharai and Muslim reported that Ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrated:” Prophet Mohamed (PAPBUH) made compulsory, for salve, free, male, female, young and old of Muslims, the payment of alms upon the end of Ramadan: fast breaking at the end of the month with the amount of both hands full of date or barely”
Reasoning behind its payment: It was ordained in Shabaan of the second year of Hijra bearing the sense of purifying the fasting person of any obscenity or pointless talking he/she may have made. Simultaneously, it assists the poor and needy people upon Eid. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them said:” The Messenger of Allah (PAPBUH) ordained alms of Fitr as purification for the fasting person from any pointless talking, and obscenity, as well as food for the poor. One who pays it out before Eid prayer is an accepted Zakah while one who pays it after Eid prayer is just an ordinary Sadaqa (alms)”
It is compulsory to be paid by the free Muslim who affords the amount mentioned above. However, the amount must be over the regular needs of the person and his family. One must pay Zakat u lfirt for himself and on behalf of whoever he supports including, wife, children and servants whom he financially supports.
The amount is: both hands full of grain, barely, dates, raisins, dried milk, rice or corn or whatever is considered of food. However, Abou Hanifa (scholar) permitted the payment of what is worth of money. For further clarification, head of family, male or female must pay Zakat u lfitr for each person he/she (in case of a single mother or an unmarried female who has no Muslim male relatives) financially supports plus him/herself. The amount of money equal to the price of the above mentioned quantities must be paid for every individual to the Muslim poor people.
The time of payment: It is due by the end of Ramadan, however, must be given out before Eid prayer. One must strictly observe the timing other wise it remains a debt that must be fulfilled.
To whom it must be paid?: To poor people as the Messenger of Allah (PAPBUH) said: “Satisfy them on the day of Eid, let them not ask for assistance” as narrated by Ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with both of them).
May Allah accept all our deeds and save us from Hell as He promised by the end of this blessed month.