Sadaqatul-Fitr

Who Should Pay Sadaqatul - Fitr?

 At dawn on the day of Id - ul - fitr, the Auspicious Day at the expiry of the lunar month of Ramadaan, Sadaqah for that day, Sadaqatul al-fitr becomes obligatory upon every free Muslim who possesses the minimum wealth liable to the yearly Zakaat, or its value. Unlike Zakaat, it does not have to be possessed for one uninterrupted year and nor does it have to be for trade. It only has to be free from debt and from the basic necessities of life for oneself and for the members of one's family. Basic necessities mean those things which one needs for sufficiency only: These are: shelter, furniture, clothes, means of transport, weapons for protection, and tools for work.

For Whom Should One Pay Sadaqah?

Such a Muslim as described above is required to pay the Sadaqah on the day of Id - ul - fitr:

[1] For himself;

[2] For his small poor children. If these small children are rich, and possess independent property, this Sadaqah can be paid out of their wealth.

For Whom Does One Not Need To Pay Sadaqah

 [1] A grandfather is not under any obligation to pay for his small poor grand-children. Another view, however, is that the grandfather takes the place of the father when the latter is absent or poor.

[2] The Sadaqah of the day of Id-ul-Fitr need not be paid by a Muslim for his mature offspring although they form part of his family, nor for his wife. If however, he pays this Sadaqah on behalf of his wife or adult offspring, without their express permission, their consent is understood by custom and it is lawful.

How Should One Pay Sadaqah?

This Sadaqah, payable by one individual, should be paid to one poor man. Jurists have disagreed on whether or not it is permissible for a person to divide his Sadaqah among several poor men. It is , however, correct to pay the Sadaqah of a  number of individuals to a single poor man.

What Is To Be Given As Sadaqah? 

1) Sadaqatul-Fitr amounts to HALF a saa of wheat, or ONE saa, i.e. 270 tolas of dried date or barley. Note 7.5 tolas =87.48 grams = 2, 8125 troy ounces).

2) It is permissible to pay the value of these things in cash. It is better to give cash when the above items are easily available. When these items, such as barley, wheat or dates are scarce, then it is better to give these instead of cash.

When To Pay Sadaqah?

The time when this Sadaqah becomes obligatory upon a Muslim is at dawn, on the day of Id - ul - fitr. The arrival of that appointed period is the condition for the obligation of this Sadaqah. Therefore, one who died or became poor on the eve of this period, is not liable for this Sadaqah. It is also not required from one who became a Muslim, or became rich, or was born after this period.

It is praiseworthy to pay this Sadaqah before one proceeds for the performance of the prayer of Id - ul - fitr. Payment before or after this period is also correct. If payment was not made before this period, it will have to be made after, because the obligation continues until it is discharged. It is, however, disliked to do so later.