1. Al-Fiqh Al-Muyassar Book of Zakat

2. 3.1 Zakat Al-Fitr Becomes due when one ceases fasting (fitr) from Ramadhan. Due upon each Muslim and not connected to wealth. فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم زكاة الفطر صاعا من تمر أو صاعا من شعير على العبد والحر والذكر والأنثى والصغير والكبير من المسلمين وأمر بها أن تؤدى قبل خروج الناس إلى الصلاة

3. 3.2 Zakat Al-Fitr “The Prophet (sas) mandated zakat upon ending the fast of Ramadhan, one saw’ of dates or of barley, upon male and female, free and slave and young and old Muslims.” (Agreed) Due upon all of the above and also upon a foetus after the entry of the soul which is at four months. The first generations did this.

4. 3.3 Zakat Al-Fitr It must be paid for one’s self and for all those whose support is upon him such as wife, children, etc. It is only due upon one whose supplies are in excess of the needs of him and all dependents on the ‘Eid day and night. Only due upon Muslims

5. 3.4 Zakat Al-Fitr Wisdom of Zakat Al-Fitr – Cleansing of any flaws in the fast – Freeing the needy from need and worry that day فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم زكاة الفطر طهرة للصيام من اللغو و الرفث و طعمة للمساكين من أداها قبل الصلاة فهي زكاة مقبولة و من أداها بعد الصلاة فهي صدقة من الصدقات ( حسن )

6. 3.5 Zakat Al-Fitr “The Prophet (sas) mandated Zakat Al-Fitr as a purification from any frivolity or obscenity (while fasting) and food for the needy.” (Abu Daud and others – hassan) An act of gratitude to Allah for allowing the slave to complete the month of fasting and standing and other good deeds in the blessed month.

7. 3.6 Zakat Al-Fitr The amount is one ( صاع ) of the staple food of the land. This equals 4 ( أمداد ) each of which is a double-handful of an average man (volume). It does not fulfill the obligation to give an equal value in money as this is contrary to the text and the actions of the Prophet (sas), Companions and first generations.

8. 3.7 Zakat Al-Fitr Zakat Al-Fitr should be paid before the people head out for the ‘Eid prayer. عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أَمَرَ بِزَكَاةِ الْفِطْرِ أَنْ تُؤَدَّى قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ النَّاسِ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ The Prophet (sas) ordered that Zakat Al-Fitr should be rendered before the people head out to the prayer.

9. 3.8 Zakat Al-Fitr The last chance is before the prayer مَنْ أَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِىَ زَكَاةٌ مَقْبُولَةٌ وَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِىَ صَدَقَةٌ مِنَ الصَّدَقَاتِ Whoever rendered it before the prayer, then it is an accepted Zakat but whoever rendered it after the prayer, it is an ordinary sadaqa. But what is the meaning of “rendered” (addaa)? Paying or reaching its recipient?

10. 3.9 Zakat Al-Fitr It can also be paid several days before the ‘Eid day as was done by Ibn Umar and other Sahaba. It has been narrated that the Prophet (sas) appointed someone to receive zakat al-fitr in the masjid in the last third of Ramadhan This should be considered if it takes longer to get this zakat to its recipients.

11. 3.10 Recipients of Zakat Al-Maal إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ (60) التوبة {The sadaqaat are only for the destitute, the needy, it’s staff, those whose hearts are to be brought near, [freeing of] slaves, those overcome with debt, in the path of Allah and for the [stranded] traveller a commandment from Allah and Allah is Knowing, Wise.}

12. 3.11 Recipients Fuquraa’. Those who don’t have what they need for themselves and their dependents. They are to given what suffices for one year. Masaakeen. Those who find half or more of what they need. They are given what will suffice for one year. Al-’Aaamileena ‘alaihaa. The staff. Those who collect, maintain and distribute. They are given market wage for their work, even if not needy.

13. 3.12 Recipients Al-Mu’allafatu Quloobihim. Those given to encourage them toward Islam or toward improving their Islam or to gain their support or prevent their harm. Scholars disagreed as to whether this can include non-Muslims. Also, whether they exist after the Prophet (sas). This should be undertaken only by the Imam, not individuals. Ar-Riqaab. Any Muslim in bondage of slavery or prisoner of war who can be freed by this means.

14. 3.13 Recipients Al-Ghaarimeen. One overcome by debts undertaken without disobedience to Allah. Fiy Sabeeli Allah. Soldiers who do not have a salary from another source in bait al-maal. Ibn As-Sabeel. A traveler cut off from his land who can’t find another way to get home.

15. 3.14 Disallowed Recipients Those not in need – with some exceptions. ” لا تحل الصدقة لغني إلا لخمسة : لغاز ( 2 ) في سبيل الله أو لعامل ( 3 ) عليها أو لغارم ( 4 ) أو لرجل اشتراها ( 5 ) بماله أو لرجل له جار ( 6 ) مسكين تصدق ( 7 ) على المسكين فأهدى إلى الغني “ الموطأ “Zakat is not lawful for a non-needy person except five: a soldier in Allah’s path, it’s staff, one overcome by debt, one who purchased it or a man who gave to his needy neighbor who then gave some of it as a gift.”

16. 3.15 Disallowed Recipients Otherwise, they fall under the general rule: ” لا حظ فيها لغني ولا قوي مكتسب “ ( صحيح ) Relatives, spouses or anyone among those whose support is already an obligation. If he gives to these, it relieves him of his standing obligation of support, so it is as if he gave zakat to himself!

17. 3.16 Disallowed Recipients Non-Muslims ”... فَأعْلِمْهُمْ أنَّ اللهَ قَدِ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُؤخَذُ مِنْ أغْنِيَائِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ...“ ( متفق عليه ) “… then inform them that Allah has mandated upon them a sadaqa which is taken from their wealthy and returned to their poor.” i.e., “their poor” means the poor among the Muslims.

18. 3.17 Disallowed Recipients The family of the Prophet (sas) and their descendents (Banu Haashim). إن الصدقة لا تنبغى لآل محمد إنما هى أوساخ الناس ( أحمد ، ومسلم عن عبد المطلب بن ربيعة ) Zakat is not befitting for the family of the Prophet (sas), it is the castoffs of the people. A slave – except for the purpose of freeing him.

19. 3.18 Other Issues It is not necessary to cover all eight categories. Rather, the distribution should be prioritized according to the needs of the Muslims and their overall benefit. Zakat is to be distributed in the same area where it was collected unless the pressing needs of that area have been covered and there are pressing needs elsewhere in the Ummah. In that case, it can be transferred.