Details about the Charity of Fitr

 

Details about the Charity of Fitr

 

Islam has instructed us to include the poor and needy folk in our happiness as well.  It has declared the Charity of Fitr (i.e. Sadqa Fitr) to be Compulsory on all men, women, children, old or young so that even the poor folk can share in the joys of ‘’Eid.

 

The excellence of Charity of Fitr

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has ordered the rich and the poor (i.e. those who have wealth, which meets the criteria for giving Zakaat and those who do not) to give Charity of Fitr:

 

Translation:  Now the rich among you, Allah Most High will purify that person and the poor, how much ever that person gives in charity, Allah Most High will grant more than that.  (Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hambal, Hadith No. 22553)

 

‘Allama Ali Muttaqi Hindi Hanafi (May Allah shower His mercy on him), (deceased 974 Hijri) has recorded a Hadith in Kanz Ul ‘Ummal on the authority of Khateeb and Ibn ‘Asakar:

 

Translation: The fast of a believer is suspended between the heavens and the earth unless that person does not give Charity of Fitr.  (Kanz Ul ‘Ummal, Hadith No. 24130)

 

Command to give Charity of Fitr

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has ordered us to give Charity of Fitr on behalf of every man, woman or child and instructed us to give

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Hasan Basri (May Allah be well pleased with him), he said that Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) spoke to the people on the last day of Ramadhan: O People of Basra, You give the Zakaat of your fasts.  People stared at each other (as they didn’t know).  Then Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) said: Is there are any Madinite here? Get up and teach your brothers how to do so, as they don’t know that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has fixed the Charity of Ramadhan at 1/2 Sa’a wheat and 1 Sa’a barley, dates. (Musnad Ahmed, Hadith No: 3349)

 

Criteria for Charity of Fitr

 

Charity of Fitr is Compulsory.  There are only 3 conditions for Charity of Fitr:

 

(1) To be a Muslim.

 

(2) To be free.

 

(3) To have wealth which is beyond the basic necessities of life and that person should be free of debt.

 

The prescribed criterion is the same as Zakaat, but for Charity of Fitr, there is no condition that the wealth should be of an increasing nature (like gold, silver or commercial goods) or that 1 year should have passed on it.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 191.

 

Quantity of Charity of Fitr

 

As per modern standards, 1/2 Sa’a amounts to 1 Kg and 106 Gm.  If wheat is given as Charity of Fitr, then 1.25 Kg should be given to be on the safe side.

 

As per the opinion of the scholars of North India, 1/2 Sa’a is 2 kg 47 Gm.

 

It is better to give money instead

 

Instead of giving either wheat, dates or barley, it is better to give the equivalent amount, so that the poor and the needy can fulfill their needs with the money, as given in Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg No. 192.

 

Thus, if you give money instead of wheat, etc., then not only your Charity of Fitr will be fulfilled, but it is better than giving wheat, etc.

 

As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 192

 

When to give Charity of Fitr?

 

Charity of Fitr becomes Compulsory as soon as the day of ‘Eid dawns. The time limit for Charity of Fitr is the whole life itself and can be given any time, but it is Mustahab to give it on the day of ‘Eid before going to the ‘Eidgah.   It can be given after the Salaat Ul ‘Eid as well. It should be kept in mind that as long as it is not given, it remains Compulsory and must be given, no matter how long a time passes. As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol 1, Pg No: 192.

 

Also as given Bada’i Us Sana’i, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 207.

 

If a person gains wealth after ‘Eid?

 

If a person does not have wealth that meets the prescribed criteria and acquires wealth later on, then for that year Charity of Fitr is not Compulsory on that person.  However, if anyone wants to give supererogatory (Nafl) Charity, they can do so as much as they want to.

 

The year when a person has the aforementioned wealth, Charity of Fitr is Compulsory on that person and will remain Compulsory regardless of the time period as long it is given.

 

Giving Charity of Fitr on behalf of family members

 

A person must give Charity of Fitr of those members of the family for whom a person is responsible like minor children etc.  It is not Compulsory (Wajib) to give Charity of Fitr of the adults and the wife, etc.

 

However, it is not necessary to take permission if you are giving Charity of Fitr for the adults and the wife.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 193.

 

Charity of Fitr on behalf of others

 

If you want to give Charity of Fitr on someone's behalf, then it is compulsory to take their permission.  Without their permission, the Charity of Fitr will not be considered valid.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 193.

 

May Allah Most High, for the sake of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) guide us to worship Allah Most High and to give Zakaat, Charity and other charity with all sincerity.