Zakat-ul-Fitr is a mandatory charitable food donation Muslims are required to make at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer, to purify the fast and help the poor.
Zakat-ul-Fitr is totally different from Zakat.
While Zakat-ul-Fitr is one of the pillars of Islam and mandatory for Muslims who has reached the nisab for Zakat, Zakat-ul-Fitr is compulsory for every fasting Muslim adult who have food in excess of their needs on behalf of themselves and their dependants.
It’s majoly aimed at making Eid easy for all.
What To Give
Most common Staple foods in the country. E.g
Rice
Wheat
Corn
Chick peas
or other grains
Note: it must be uncooked
Who To Give
The poor and needy Muslims. This will enable them to have a fun-filled and stress-free celebration.
Measurement .
The prophet (S.A.W) was reported to have specified Zakat-ul-Fitr as a Sa’a of dates, barley, or raisins, emphasizing it should come from the country’s staple food, while some scholars, like the Hanafis, permit its payment in cash if it better fulfills the need of the poor.
One Sa’a is equivalent to;
🕳3 Dericas, 12 small milk tin cups (Lagos Nigeria context).
🕳Four moderate handfuls, weighing about 2.175 kilograms according to Hanbali and Shafi’i schools
🕳3 kilograms according to Hanafis, to ensure an excess that fulfills the obligation of purifying a Muslim’s duty.
🕳2.40 kg or 5.2lbs according to other sources.
🕳3 liters, i.e 0.75ml in 4 places.
Example: Let’s say the cost of one Sa’ of rice is N3000 in Lagos.
If you have a family of 5, you would multiply N3,300 by 5, resulting in a total Zakat al-Fitr obligation of N16,500.
When To Give
Ideally, Zakat-ul-Fitr should be given 2 days to,on the eve of Eid or the morning of Eid before Eid prayers.
There are other opinions that it can be paid earlier, the former holds more weight.
Contemporary Issues
Can Zakat-ul-Fitr be paid on a dependant who is not a Muslim?
No, Zakat al-Fitr, a specific type of charity given at the end of Ramadan, is not typically paid on behalf of non-Muslim dependents.
If The head of the family isn’t a Muslim, Who will pay Zakat-ul-Fitr?
The fasting Muslim should pay for himself/herself and other Muslim dependants.
