Fitr

What is Fitr?

It is an obligatory act of worship, due upon each Muslim individual, children and (including unborn babies in some narrations), before Eid Ul Fitr Prayer. The primary purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to provide the poor with the means to celebrate Eid al-Fitr alongside the rest of the Muslim community. This must be paid before Eid prayer.

In Australia Zakat-a-Fitr amount per person in each household, this year it is determined as $18 (minimum). This is determined by Australian Fatwa Council (ANIC).

One view is the amount is equivalent to the average price of a saa’ of the grain easily accessible in the country of use (e.g. rice, burr, Shaer). According to Hanbali, you can only give dates, barley, burr. According to 2nd Madhab, you can give 1 saa’, except in Burr it is given half a saa’ (In Bhukari 1511, Muslim 984)

In Australia we are living a multicultural community, therefore the scholars believe it is ok to give equivalent of cash so that the person can purchase their staple food. The bigger benefit is to address the need of the community, therefore. Fiqh of Sunnah (page 76)

Why pay Zakt-ul-Fitr?

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prescribed the Sadaqah (alms) relating to the breaking of the fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. If anyone pays it before the prayer (of 'Id), it will be accepted as Zakat. If anyone pays it after the prayer, that will be a Sadaqah like other Sadaqahs (alms).” (Abu Dawud 1609, Ibn Majah 1827)