Zakat Al Fitr
Islam highly emphasizes charity as it impacts individuals’ and societies’ welfare. Zakat Al Fitr, also known as Fitrana, is a type of obligatory almsgiving given before Eid al Fitr to ensure ease, brotherhood and unity amongst the deprived members of the community during the Holy festival.
Who Is Obligated To Pay Fitrana?
Mostly given during the last Ashra, Fitrana is due before the Eid prayers. Financially sound people with good earnings and excessive wealth are obliged to carry out Fitrana. Individuals can give it on behalf of their family members such as children, spouses, parents, dependant relatives or even servants.
Who Receives The Fitrana?
Fitrana is donated to show gratefulness to Allah S.W.T for His blessings and to support the disadvantaged brothers and sisters in faith so they may be able to join in the festivity and celebrations of Eid Al Fitr. The recipients of Fitrana are relatives who are in need, underprivileged neighbours, the impoverished in general and the collectors of charity such as Scot Aid.
What Is The Fitrana Amount?
According to the Hadith, the Prophet Mohammad ﷺ used to give one Saa’ of dates or barley as the payment of Fitrana. One Saa’ is a portion equivalent to four Madd. Madd is a quantity that scoops up when both hands join together. Therefore, Fitrana is calculated according to the weight of the current staple food price, which is approximately £XX per person.
Narrated: Ibn Umar:
“Allah’s Apostle enjoined the payment of one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the ‘Id prayer.”
– Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Book 25, Number 579
