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Mr. Sidike Kuyateh of New York
ZAKAAT UL-FITR:COMPLETING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN
By: Gofin Kosia (646 651 9476
All praise is due to Allah(S W T), who out of His mercy blessed and spared us to observe the last end of the month of Ramadan. Neither did we bribe Him to stay nor did the deceased and those sick ones among us today committed any sin to be to where they are today. What have you given back to Allah(S W T) in return to thank Him? How many points would you give yourself if you were to grade yourself for this Ramadan? Remember, Allah(S W T) has nothing to gain or lose whether we worship Him or refuse.
And Moses said “if you show ingratitude, you and all on earth together, yet is Allah free of all wants, worthy of all praise (by other created beings) Qur’an 17:8
To climax our monthly effort, it is incumbent upon every Muslim (who can afford), to pay ZAKAATUL -FITR.
WHAT IS ZAKAATUL- FITR?
ZAKAAT means charity and FITR means break-fast or futoor. Therefore, ZAKAATUL-FITR is the charity given out to the poor and needy at the end of the fast month.
Its payment is compulsory upon every mature Muslim; heads of families are responsible to pay for every dependant, including your self regardless of their age, gender, relationship to you etc. Even if you did not fast for any given reason, you still have to pay it. Its equivalence is about 2.5kg of a stable food of the community of the recipient. Example; grains, maize, wheat, barley, rice, corn, date-palm etc. Some scholars agree that monetary (cash) payment is acceptable if that need arises, but payment in food is recommended. In Philadelphia, where I live, the estimate cash per person is $10.00, but you may ask you local religious council for advice.
Reason of it being compulsory: Saheeh Bukhari volume 2, # 579, page 339 (English version).
WHEN TO PAY IT.
It should be paid from three days before the end of Ramadan to the morning before you go out in the morning to pray. It is no longer a ZAKAAT-UL FITR if and when the imam steps up on the MIMBAR to pray. It now becomes an ordinary SADAQA (charity).
“But those will prosper who purify them selves. And glorify the name of their guardian-Lord, and lift (their hearts) in prayer. Qur’an 87:14-15
Ibn Abbass (R A) interpret this to be ZAKAAT-UL FITR payment before going for prayer in the morning of EID.
May Allah (SWT) accept all of our worships during this month Ramadan and after. May Allah bless us with numerous Ramadans in the future and forgive all of our sins, including those of our deceased ones.
To Allah belongs all perfection and may He increase our knowledge and the will power for implementation.