Zakat-ul-Fitr (Minor-Eid Charity)

Muslims used to give out Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every young and old person as one Sā‘ of food during the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and during the time of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. Their food was barley, (raisins): dry grapes, (Aqit): dried yogurt, and dates. One Sā‘ is equivalent to four Mudds, and one Mudd is equal to two handfuls of an average person. When Mu‘āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) came to Madīnah as a caliph and the Syrian wheat became abundant, he delivered a speech and said: I see that two Mudds of the Syrian wheat (half a Sā‘) is equivalent to one Sā‘ of dates, so the people adopted this opinion. Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: As for me, I will continue to give it as I used to give it during the Prophet's lifetime for as long as I live.

1. Clarifying the amount of Zakat al-Fitr during the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him); one Sā‘ of food, regardless of the type or value.
2. All human food is valid to be given as Zakat al-Fitr; however, these four types were particularly mentioned because they were the staple foods during the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
3. It is not valid to give Zakat al-Fitr in the form of money instead of food.
4. Commenting on "Sharh Muslim,"  An-Nawawi said: When the Companions differ, the opinion of some is not more valid than that of the others, so we must refer to other evidence. We found that the apparent meaning of the Hadīths and analogy both agree on the requirement of a full Sā‘ of wheat, like other types of food, and thus it must be adopted.
5. Ibn Hajar said: In the Hadīth of Abu Sa‘īd, there is evidence of his strict adherence to and compliance with the prophetic traditions and avoidance of resorting to personal reasoning when there is textual proof. As for what Mu‘āwiyah did and the people's agreement with him, it indicates the permissibility of Ijtihād (independent reasoning), which is commendable. However, when a clear text exists, Ijtihād is considered invalid.

صحيح البخاري (2/ 131) (1508). صحيح مسلم (2/ 678) (985). تيسير العلام، لعبد الله البسام (ص309). تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الإحكام، لابن عثيمين (3/ 409). الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام، لإسماعيل الأنصاري (1/ 251).

Zakah is founded on justice and equality, hence, Allah has made it obligatory upon all types of properties, growing or apt to growth, such as harvested crops and merchandise for sale. As for properties that do not grow, those intended for possession or personal use, no Zakah is due on its owners, because it is a personal item. This category includes what one rides, be that a horse, a camel, or a car. The same rule applies to the slave used for service, one's furniture and utensils made for personal use. However, the exception here is Zakat al-Fitr on the slave, which is obligatory because it is associated with people not properties.

عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: عبد الغني بن عبد الواحد المقدسي، تحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، دار الثقافة العربية ومؤسسة قرطبة، الطبعة الثانية، 1408هـ. تيسير العلام، تأليف: عبد الله بن عبد الرحمن البسام، تحقيق محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، مكتبة الصحابة ومكتبة التابعين، الطبعة العاشرة، 1426هـ. تأسيس الأحكام شرح عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: أحمد بن يحي النجمي: نسخة إلكترونية لا يوجد بها بيانات نشر. تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الإحكام، تأليف: محمد بن صالح العثيمين، مكتبة الصحابة ومكتبة التابعين، الطبعة الأولى: 1426هـ. الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: إسماعيل الأنصاري، مطابع دار الفكر، الطبعة الأولى:1381هـ. صحيح البخاري، تأليف: محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، الناشر: دار طوق النجاة الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، تأليف: مسلم بن الحجاج النيسابوري، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، الناشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي - بيروت.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory after Ramadan. Its amount is one Sā’, which is equivalent to four Mudds in weight. One Mudd: two handfuls of an average person of dates or barley due on every Muslim, free or slave, male or female, young or old. This applies to one who has enough surplus beyond his needs for the day and night, for himself and for those whom he provides for. He commanded that it be given before the people go out to the Eid prayer.

1. Zakat al-Fitr from Ramadan must be paid on behalf of the young and the old, the free and the slave. It is entrusted to the guardian and the master, and a man should give it on behalf of himself, his children, and those whom he is obligated to provide for.
2. It is not obligatory to give Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of the fetus; rather, it is recommended.
3. Clarifying what should be given as Zakat al-Fitr and that it is the people's customary staple food.
4. It is obligatory to give it out before the Eid prayer, preferably on the morning of Eid, and it is permissible to give it out one or two days before Eid.

صحيح البخاري (2/ 130) (1503). صحيح مسلم (2/ 679) (986). تيسير العلام، لعبد الله البسام (ص309). تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الإحكام، لابن عثيمين (3/ 406). الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام، لإسماعيل الأنصاري (1/ 249).