5. CONDITIONS
Zakaah al-Fitr is only Waajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaah al-'Eed' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) ) used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eed. Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) order that it (Zakaah al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salaah (al-'Eed). Naafi' transmitted that Ibn Umar used to pay fitr a day or two before the Eed prayer [Bukhaaree Vol. 2, p.339, no. 579 & Muslim, Abu Daawood]. Whoever pays fitr after the Eed prayer wlll not get the blessings of it because it will be rendered as regular Sadaqah [see Abu Daawood no. 1605] And Ibn `Abbaas reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever gives it before the Salaah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah (will not, for it will only be considered as) ordinary charity. Therefore, one who forgets to pay this Zakaah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakaah al-Fitr.
6. RATE
The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (two handfuls ) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn `Umar's report that the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Saa` of dried dates or a Saa` of barley. The Sahaabee, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582] Items other than food such as money, clothes, furniture, etc. cannot be given as Zakat al-fitr. because it is contrary to what the Prophet commanded and what Allah wants. The Prophet (S) said, "Whoever introduces anything in this matter (deen) of ours will have it rejected." [Bukhaaree Vol 3 no. 861. Muslim no.4266, Abu Daawood no.4589] Paying Zakaat ul-Fitr is an act of worship, and through the Quran and authentic Sunnah all acts of worship are described. Therefore, to add, subtract, or alter any act of worship is a bida'h. Thus, paying zakaah al-fitr by other than food is a bida'h and every bid'ah eventually leads to the fire [see Abu Daawood no. 4590]. Not giving money for fitr is as Sunnah at-Turkeeyah (An action, the abandonment of which is a Prophetic Sunnah). Money existed and was prevalent in the Prophet's time but he did not nor did the Companions or Taabi'oon (followers of the Companions) use any money for Fitr. For sure the Prophet (S) was, is, and always will be the best of worshippers and the Companions and Taabi'oon are the best of generations in understanding and practicing Islaam [See Soorah's 4:115 and 3:110, Bukhaaree Vol 3 and 5, Abu Daawood no.4586]. So if he and they did not use money for Sadaqah al-Fitr why should any one else?
|
