Encomium
+Tips on a successful sallah celebration
As the world prepares for the celebration of ‘Eid-il-fitr’, otherwise known as ‘Sallah’, which comes up on Sunday, July 27 or Monday, July 28, depending on the sighting of the moon, it’s pertinent for all Muslims to pay ‘Zakat-al-fitr’ for their fasting and acts of worship during Ramadan to be fully accepted by almighty Allah.
Zakat-al-fitr is charity given to the poor at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The word ‘Fitr’ means the same as ‘Iftar’, ‘breaking a fast’ and it comes from the same root word as ‘Futoor’ which means ‘breakfast’. It is intended to purify Muslims from sin committed during the fasting period and hasten the acceptance of fast.
IMPORTANCE
According to the Qur’an, “He who purified himself shall prosper…remembering his Lord’s name and praying.” – Q. 87: 14-15.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also supported this by saying, on the authority of Umar that he (Muhammad) made obligatory the payment of Zakat-ul-Fitr, Sa’a of dates (4 Mud) of barely or grape on the slave, freeborn, male, female, young and old among the Muslims.
The significant role played by Zakat in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Zakat al-Fitr. However, in the case of Sadaqat al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity.
Thus, Zakat al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.
BENEFITS OF PAYING
Zakat al-Fitr was legislated by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in the month of Sha’ban of the second year of Hijrah. It is meant to pray two roles:
1. Purification of the fasting Muslim from whatever unbecoming character such as vain talk and unnecessary wrongdoings he might have committed during the fasting month.
2. Feeding of the poor and needy so that they may not beg (at least on Eid day).
CLASSIFICATION
Zakat al-Fitr is a duty which is wajib (required) of every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.
According to Islamic tradition (Sunnah), Ibn ‘Umar said that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barley. [Sahih Bukhari – Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339.
The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members. Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree said:
“On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allah’s Messenger’s (peace be upon him) lifetime one Sa` of grain, cheese or raisins”. [Sahih Muslim – English transl. vol. 2, p. 469.
ITEMS, QUANTITY AND PRICE
Base on the above sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the practice was to pay four Mudu (equivalent to fourteen – 14- tins of milk) such as Rice, Beans, Garri, Yam Flour, Millet and so on.
Below are the some of the food items and their monetary values.
According to the current prices of these food items in some of the states of the Federation, intending payer of Zakat-al-fitr can select the food item of his choice with the corresponding price as indicated below….
Items Lagos Ogun Abuja
Rice 560 420 500
Beans 700 600 500
Yam flour 700 700 300
Maize 420 182 170
Garri 280 196 210
Wheat 700 350 378
For details on how and where to pay, call the above number.
WHEN IS IT DUE?
Zakat-al-Fitr is expected to be paid on the last days of Ramadan, up to the morning of Eid-day before going to the praying ground (Eid). Any Zakat-al-Fitr paid after Eid prayer is regarded as ordinary charity, according to Ibn Umar, Zakat-il-Fitr is better paid two (2) days before Eid so that the objective of its payment will be properly achieved.
Basic errors Muslims make when paying Zakat Al-Fitr
Error One: Paying at Eid Salah
Some people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their Zakat Al-Fitr. No, Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer. If someone goes to Eid prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time. And thus the person paying is sinful for having missed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr. May Allah forgive us.
Error Two: Snail mailing the money overseas.
The Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid prayer is over.
However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then in sha Allah it’s alright.
Error Three: Not paying
Yes, as simple as this error is, it is HARAM to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house, Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the youngest member is just a few days old.
Error Four: Confusing Zakat Al-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal
We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). Zakat Al-Maal (Maal literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money and that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.
Error Five: Giving money instead of food
Although some scholars have allowed giving money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to give food to the needy of the community, NOT money. (One can give money to the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation workers in your locality). The Companion of the Prophet, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, “In the Prophet’s time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese”.
Error Six: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project
Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid, or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the Quran are HUMANS, not “building projects”.
Error Seven: Giving Zakat Al-Fitr to non-Muslims
Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakah al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the MUSLIM poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street. “Regular” charity can be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.
Error Eight: Delaying distribution
Sometimes Masjids might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.
TIPS ON HOW TO CELEBRATE EID-AL-FITR
1. Go shopping for halal (lawful) items such as clothes, shoes, for your family, if you have the means. People buy variety of items which includes gifts, sweets, food items etc. before eid.
2. Take a bath and dress in clean clothes, not necessarily a new one if you don’t have the means.
3. Give Zakaat al fitr to the needy (as discussed above).
4. Exchange gifts with your friends and family, priority should be given to the Muslim needy.
5. It’s desirable to come out to the prayer-place on Eid al-Fitr after eating some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) would not go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… and he would eat an odd number.”(Bukhaari, 953).
6. Offer Salah early in the morning in an Eid ground with other Muslims. Listen to the Khutbah (Eid speech) if you wish to or just leave if you don’t. But it’s advisable you listen.
7. Go out one by one route and come back by another for Eid prayers. Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may God be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to vary his routes on the day of Eid.(Bukhaari).
8. Hug people. This festival has a feeling of brotherhood in it. All the persons hug each other on this day. Note, male should hug a male counterpart and ditto to female. Free mixing is not allow in Islam.
9. Get children involved. Children enjoy the festival by wearing new clothes and playing games. Children also create handmade Eid greeting cards and present them to their family and friends. Some Islamic organisations organise Get-Together for children. (Call the above number if you want your children to attend any).
10. As long as it’s allowed to have merriment and fun on that day, some acts are forbidden. Muslims should avoid gatherings where female freely mix with male counterpart all in the name of Sallah Concerts/Fiesta. It’s important to be conscious of this. May Allah accept our fast as an act of worship. Amin.
ABDURRASHEED ABUBAKAR
