As the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, many people begin to wonder how to give Zakat al-Fitr correctly.
In this article, learn about the importance of the Zakat Al Fitr calculator and how it helps in accurately and quickly determining the amount that must be paid.
What is zakat Al Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is a mandatory charity for Muslims that is given to the poor at the end of Ramadan. It was prescribed in the second year after the Hijrah.
Its amount is one sa‘ (an ancient measure) of dates or one sa‘ of barley, and it must be paid on behalf of every Muslim, whether slave or free, male or female, young or old.
Now that we’ve answered the question, What is Zakat al-Fitr?” let’s move on to understanding its importance and how to calculate it.
Importance of Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr was legislated for several important reasons, the most notable of which are
- It purifies the fasting person from any idle talk or inappropriate behavior that may have occurred during Ramadan.
- It helps support the poor and spares them from asking for help on the day of Eid.
To make fulfilling this obligation easier, many Muslims now rely on a reliable zakat al fitr calculator to determine the correct amount.
The following hadith highlights the Importance of Zakat al-Fitr:
“وَعَنِ اِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اَللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: { فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -زَكَاةَ اَلْفِطْرِ; طُهْرَةً لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ اَللَّغْوِ, وَالرَّفَثِ, وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِينِ, فَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ اَلصَّلَاةِ فَهِيَ زَكَاةٌ مَقْبُولَةٌ, وَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا بَعْدَ اَلصَّلَاةِ فَهِيَ صَدَقَةٌ مِنَ اَلصَّدَقَاتِ.”
“Ibn ’Abbas (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined Zakat-ul-fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer and it is Sadaqah (i.e. voluntary charity) for the person who pays it after the Eid prayer.”
Who is it obligatory on to pay Zakat al Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim, male or female, young or old, sane or mentally ill, based on the hadith:
“حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَضَ زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ عَلَى النَّاسِ صَاعًا مِنْ تَمْرٍ أَوْ صَاعًا مِنْ شَعِيرٍ عَلَى كُلِّ حُرٍّ أَوْ عَبْدٍ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ .”
“Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, made the zakat of breaking the fast at the end of Ramadan obligatory on every muslim, whether freeman or slave, male or female, and stipulated it as a sa’ of dates or a sa’ of barley.”
Two conditions must be met for it to be obligatory:
- The person must be a Muslim.
- The person must be financially able, meaning they possess more than they and their dependents need in terms of food, drink, clothing, shelter, and basic necessities for the night and day of Eid.
How to Calculate Zakat al-Fitr?
The Sunnah outlines How to Calculate Zakat al-Fitr. A person must give one sa‘ of dates, or barley, or the staple food of their country, as mentioned in the hadith:
“وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ قَالَ: كُنَّا نُخْرِجُ زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ صَاعًا مِنْ طَعَامٍ أَو صَاعا من شعير أَو صَاعا من تَمْرٍ أَوْ صَاعًا مَنْ أَقِطٍ أَوْ صَاعًا من زبيب.”
“Abu Sa’id al-Khudrl said, “We used to bring forth as the zakat on breaking the fast of Ramadan a sa’ of grain, or of barley, or of dried dates, or of cheese, or of raisins.”
When using the Zakat Al Fitr calculator, it’s important to know that the measure of a sa‘ ranges between 2.5 kg to 3 kg. It is also permissible to give more than this amount.
Those who wish to give grains as Zakat al-Fitr must give it from the common staple food of their local area.
It is not necessary to limit oneself to the exact food types mentioned in the hadith, as they were simply examples relevant to the diet of the Arabs at that time.
Steps to Use a Zakat al-Fitr Calculator
Using the Zakat Al Fitr calculator is very easy, and includes the following steps:
- Determine the number of people in your household for whom you are responsible.
- Find out the local price of the grain you wish to give.
- Multiply the price × number of individuals × the amount of a sa‘ (2.5 – 3 kg).
- The result is the total zakat amount.
- Buy the equivalent amount of grains or pay the amount to a charity organization that will buy and distribute it on your behalf.
This explains in detail the Steps to Use a Zakat Al Fitr calculator.
FAQ
Q:To whom should Zakat al-Fitr be given?
A:The scholars unanimously agree that Zakat al-Fitr should be given only to the poor and needy, those who cannot meet their needs on the day of Eid.
Q: When should Zakat al-Fitr be given?
- According to the Hanafi school, it becomes obligatory at the break of dawn on Eid day.
- The Shafi’i and Hanbali schools say it becomes due at sunset on the last day of Ramadan.
- The Maliki and Hanbali scholars allow giving it one or two days in advance. This is based on the narration from Ibn Umar (RA): “They used to give Zakat al-Fitr a day or two before Eid.”
Q:Can Zakat al-Fitr be given on behalf of a fetus?
A:Yes, it is recommended to give Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of an unborn child, but it is not obligatory. If the father does not pay it, he is not held accountable.
Q:Can Zakat al-Fitr be given in cash?
A:Yes, according to the Hanafi school, it is permissible to give the value in cash.
However, the other three schools,Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali,hold the view that it must be given in the form of food that is commonly consumed in the local area.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve learned what Zakat al-Fitr is, its importance, and how to calculate it, the most important step remains: making sure to give it at the correct time.
Using a Zakat Al Fitr calculator gives you accuracy and ease in knowing how much to pay for each member of your household, based on the common food in your country.
To reinforce this knowledge and deepen your understanding of Islamic teachings, join Rahiq Academy and start learning the Quran and Islam in a simple and enjoyable way through online courses.
Register today and begin your journey toward a deeper understanding of your faith!
