The ongoing month of Ramadan is about to end and with the siting of the new moon a few days from now, the festival of Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر) will take place on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. On this day the believers thank Allah for having blessed them the strength to endure the hunger and thirst during the month long fasting in Ramadan.
On this day, men and women move out happily to the central places or masjid to offer the special Eid prayers. However, before one leaves for Eid prayers, one has to give out Zakatul-Fitr, a form of charity. Zakatul-Fitr is called as Sadaqat al-Fitr / صَدَقَةِ الْفِطْرِ or simply Fitrana in some countries. The question here arises that what form of charity is this? Is it other than the mandatory Zakat, which is paid on yearly basis or other alms and sadaqat? Why is this paid before the Eid prayers and to whom?
We share a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that answer the question and is mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 8 The Chapters Regarding Zakat - كتاب الزكاة , Chapter 21 Sadaqat al-Fitr / باب صَدَقَةِ الْفِطْرِ as Hadith 1827
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ بَشِيرِ بْنِ ذَكْوَانَ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ الأَزْهَرِ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو يَزِيدَ الْخَوْلاَنِيُّ، عَنْ سَيَّارِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الصَّدَفِيِّ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ طُهْرَةً لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ اللَّغْوِ وَالرَّفَثِ وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِينِ فَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِيَ زَكَاةٌ مَقْبُولَةٌ وَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِيَ صَدَقَةٌ مِنَ الصَّدَقَاتِ .
Ibn Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined Zakatul-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenities, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the (Eid) prayer, it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is (ordinary) charity.”
Grade: Hasan (Darussalam)
While the payment of this form of charity cleanses one's fasts from the idle talk while fasting, the ultimate beneficiary of Zakatul-Fitr is the poor and needy so that they can also join in the festivities of Eid by buying clothes for the children or preparing a few dishes. Here care must be taken that Zakatul-Fitr be given only to the poor and not to the beggars, which is usually the case. This is the beauty of Islam that the poor are always remembered and helped on special occasions, besides helping them through Zakat and alms. And remember, give out Zakatul-Fitr before the Eid prayer, the best would be a day or two earlier so that the poor can buy clothes or food for the family.
Let us expand the meaning of the hadith in more detail:
This hadith, narrated by Ibn Abbas, explains the significance of Zakatul-Fitr (the alms given at the end of Ramadan) and its purpose. In the hadith, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is reported to have stated that Zakatul-Fitr serves as a purification for the fasting person from any idle talk and obscenities during the month of fasting, as well as a means to feed the poor. The hadith also specifies the timing of the payment, emphasizing that it is an accepted form of zakat if given before the Eid prayer, but if given after the prayer, it is considered ordinary charity.
Key Themes of the Hadith:
- Purification for the Fasting Person:
- Zakatul-Fitr is described as a form of purification for the fasting person. It helps cleanse the fast from any shortcomings, such as idle chatter or inappropriate behavior, which might have occurred during the fasting period.
- Idle talk (e.g., gossip, negative speech) and obscenities (inappropriate or sinful language) are discouraged in Islam, especially during fasting. The hadith suggests that Zakatul-Fitr acts as a spiritual cleanser for any such lapses.
- Charity for the Poor:
- The purpose of Zakatul-Fitr is also to provide for those in need, ensuring that everyone can partake in the joy of Eid al-Fitr.
- It serves as a means of distributing wealth and ensuring that the poor are able to celebrate Eid along with others, without suffering from hunger or need.
- Timing of Zakatul-Fitr: The hadith makes a distinction between paying Zakatul-Fitr before or after the Eid prayer. If given before the prayer, it is regarded as an accepted Zakah (obligatory almsgiving). However, if paid after the prayer, it is treated as regular charity (sadaqah).
Explanation in Light of the Qur'an:
- Purification and Fasting: The idea of purification is important in the context of fasting. In the Qur'an, fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (God-consciousness), and purification of both body and soul is emphasized. Fasting requires not just abstaining from food and drink but also from sinful actions, including idle talk or obscenities.
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183-185): "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." The goal of fasting is to attain righteousness or taqwa, which requires spiritual purity and moral refinement. Zakatul-Fitr assists in this by purifying the fast from any deficiencies in conduct.
- Surah Al-Ahzab (33:70): “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.” This highlights the importance of maintaining good speech and avoiding sinful words, which is one of the things Zakatul-Fitr seeks to purify the fast from.
- Feeding the Poor: The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of charity and feeding the poor, particularly during moments of celebration like Eid. Zakatul-Fitr ensures that those less fortunate can join in the happiness of Eid, reinforcing the principle of social justice in Islam.
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177): “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and gives his wealth, desiring the Face of Allah, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.”
- Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9): "And they give food, in spite of love for it, to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], 'We feed you only for the face of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'" This highlights the importance of feeding the poor, which is the central function of Zakatul-Fitr.
- Timing of the Payment: The distinction between paying Zakatul-Fitr before or after the Eid prayer is also consistent with the Qur'anic injunctions related to the timing and acceptance of charity. The prescribed timing ensures that the charity is distributed while it is still a part of the Eid celebration.
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261): “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like that of a seed which grows seven spikes. In each spike is a hundred grains.” While this verse speaks more generally about charity, it reinforces the idea that charity, when given at the right time, brings greater reward.
- The importance of giving at the prescribed time is reflected in this hadith. Giving Zakatul-Fitr before the prayer ensures that it fulfills its intended purpose, whereas giving it after the prayer makes it fall into the category of voluntary charity, which is good but does not carry the same significance as the obligatory Zakah.
Theological and Spiritual Insights
Purification of the Fasting Person: Zakatul-Fitr serves as a way to correct any minor flaws in the fasting process, such as speech errors, by purifying the fast. It reminds us that even in our acts of worship, such as fasting, we should seek continuous improvement and strive to remove any blemishes, even the ones we might overlook.
- Social Responsibility: Zakatul-Fitr reinforces the Islamic principle that charity is not only a personal act of devotion but also a means of ensuring social welfare and justice. It serves as a reminder that those who are less fortunate should not be excluded from community events and celebrations.
- Comprehensive Charity: The hadith highlights the balance between individual piety and social responsibility. By purifying the fast and providing for the poor, Zakatul-Fitr nurtures both spiritual and social dimensions of the Muslim community.
In conclusion, the hadith on Zakatul-Fitr, when viewed in light of the Qur'an, emphasizes purification of the soul, feeding the poor, and the importance of timing in charity. It aligns with Qur'anic principles of attaining taqwa, promoting social justice, and ensuring that acts of charity fulfill their intended purpose within the community.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
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