Zakah of Fitr (A Saa^ or 4 Mudd of Wheat or so)

[Alsunna Teacher]

ZAKAH OF FITR

The Zakah of Fitr is due on every Muslim who is alive part of Ramadan and part of Shawwal. The due Zakah for each is a 'sa^' or four times the fill of two cupped, average-sized hands of the most common staple food of that country. It is an obligation upon the Muslim to pay the due Zakah for himself and his Muslim dependents if on the day of the Feast of Fitr (^Id-ul-Fitr) and the night after it he has enough to meet his debts, clothing, lodging, and sustenance, and the sustenance of those whom he must support.

The man must pay for his wife, his non-pubescent children, his slaves, and his poor Muslim parents. He may not pay for his pubescent children or solvent parents without their permission. It is permissible to pay the Zakat of Fitr any time during Ramadan, even the first night, however, it is recommended to pay the Zakat during the day of the Feast, and before the prayer of the ^Id, because this mends the hearts of the poor people before the prayer. It is prohibited to prolong spending the Zakah of Fitr until after the sunset of the day of the Feast without an excuse.

[Alsunna Teacher]

RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAH

For all types of Zakah, the intention is obligatory upon setting one's Zakah aside. Zakah must be paid to the Muslims among the eight categories of people deserving of Zakah mentioned explicitly in the Qur'an:

1. Those who are poor who earn less than half their basic needs (al-fuqara');
2. Those who are poor who earn half but less than all their basic needs (al-masakin);
3. The Zakah workers who are assigned by the caliph (al-^amilun ^alayha);
4. The new converts to Islam whose hearts are to be reconciled (al-mu'allafatu qulubuhum);
5. The slaves who are short in satisfying their contract for purchasing their freedom from their owners (ar-riqab);
6. Those who are unable to pay their debts (al-gharimun);
7. The volunteer fighters (fi sabilillah);
8. The travelers who do not have enough to enable them to reach their destination (ibn-us-sabil).

It is neither permissible nor valid to pay Zakah to other than those eight types of people specifically mentioned; that is why it is not valid to pay Zakah for every charitable project.

 
DEEDS RECOMMENDED WHILE FASTING
It is recommended (sunnah) to break ones fast quickly, after one is sure that the maghrib has begun. It is good to break one's fast on dates, and if not available then by drinking water, and to say after breaking one's fast:



which means: <<O Allah, for Your sake I fasted, and with Your sustenance, I broke my fast.>> It was narrated from Abu Dawud that the Prophet used to say this supplication after breaking his fast. As well, it is good to delay suhur meal until a time close to the dawn, but to stop eating before the dawn.

Refraining from backbiting or cursing a Muslim and other sins, and the like is more emphasized while fasting. In committing some of sins, the reward of one's fasting might be lessened or lost. If someone curses another, let him abstain from responding by a similar curse. Let him say, "I am fasting. I am fasting."

Paying the optional charity to the poor, reciting the Qur'an, staying in the mosque with the intention of i^tikaf, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan, praying the tarawih prayer, and inviting others to break their fast on food which you provided are all rewardable acts.

The month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the person to gain a lot of reward; reward earned because of performing this obligation in worship and obedience to Allah, and by performing a lot of the sunnah deeds. Let the person not waste his time during this month.

Allah knows best.

[Alsunna Teacher]

The nisab of gold and silver

The nisab of gold is 20 mithqal. It is 84.875 grams of pure gold. The nisab of silver is 200 dirham and it is 594.125 grams of pure silver.



The conditions required for obligating zakah on gold and silver. What does one have to give in as zakah on gold and silver?

The owner of gold and silver has to be a Muslim, free and have owned them in full for one complete lunar year (hawl).

There are two exceptions for this condition of hawl. When one extracts gold or silver or finds a golden or silver treasure, it is not required that one lunar year has to pass so that zakah becomes due. In this case, zakah is due immediately.

The amount which one has to give in as zakah on the nisab of gold and silver and what exceeds it is 1/4 of 1/10th  of the total amount.

That is, one gives in as zakah 2.5% of the total amount. On the treasure, however, one gives 1/5th of it, i.e., 20% of it.

[Alsunna Teacher]

What about Zakah on trade articles?
When is it due?
What is the obligation pertaining to zakah on these articles?

The zakah is due after the elapse of one lunar year, if the trade articles amount in value to a nisab of gold or silver. One has to give in as zakah 1/4 of 1/10 of the market value of these articles, i.e., 1/40th of the market value, i.e., 2.5% of the market value.

[Alsunna Teacher]

One should enquire and acquire more Islamic details about Zakah if he is willing to give for the sake of Allah and have that deed accepted.