Resolution No. (302)(6/2021) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: "The Amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the Year 1442"
Date: 6/Ramadan/1442 AH, corresponding to 18/4/2021 AD.
Praise be to the Lord of all worlds. Prayers and peace be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, his family and all of his companions.
On its sixth meeting held on the above date, the Board reviewed the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the year (1442 AH), corresponding to (18/4/2021), and after deliberations, it decided the following:
Zakat-ul-Fitr is a religious obligation and a manifestation of social solidarity which characterizes our tolerant Sharia; particularly in the blessed month of Ramadan; the month of righteousness, charity, and kindness. Therefore, it is an obligation upon every Muslim who owns extra provisions beyond his need and that of his dependents during the day and night of Eid-ul-Fitr. In other words, one father should pay for himself and for whom he supports, even for his baby who is born before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan as well as his poor parents whom he supports.
Ibn `Umar narrated: "Allah's Messenger (Prayers and peace be upon him) made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr."{Related by Bukhari}.
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RAA) narrated, “We used to offer it (Zakat-ul-fitr) during the lifetime of the Prophet (Prayers and peace be upon him) as one sa’ of food or one sa' of dates, or one sa' of barley or one sa' of raisins’’ {Agreed upon}.
Therefore, the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr is one Sa` of food. {Sa` is approximately equal to (2.5 Kgs.)}. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the common food is wheat. Therefore, Zakat-ul-Fitr is (2.5 Kgs.) of wheat on every person. It is also permissible to give one Sa` of rice since it is common food as well. Moreover, it is also permissible to give the value of this amount in cash.
The Board estimates the value of the Sa` from the common food in Jordan as (1800 F.), and whoever wishes to pay more shall have a greater reward from Allah The Almighty, especially in light of the difficult living conditions caused by the corona virus pandemic. Here, it is worth reminding that Allah helps the servant as long as he helps his brother.
The preferred time for giving Zakat-ul-Fitr is between the sunset of the last day of Ramadan and the E`ed prayer. However, it is permissible to give it from the beginning of Ramadan.
Nowadays, it is the duty of every Muslim to observe this ritual (Zakat-ul-Fitr) for it purifies the soul from any indecent acts. Therefore, it must be given on behalf of the child, who isn`t obliged to fast as well as the sick who is unable to fast. Ibn ’Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (Prayers and peace be upon him) 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 to provide food for the needy"{Abu Dawoud}. Giving it to the poor makes them self-sufficient on the day of E`ed. Therefore, a Muslim should give it willingly and kindly.
The Board estimates the ransom (Saum Fidyah) for breaking fast by those unable to fast due to old age or sickness (people exempted from fasting), as 1 JD at the minimum for each missed day, and whoever wishes to give more shall receive a greater reward from Allah The Almighty.
We pray that Allah The Almighty accepts our acts of devotion and erases our sins. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
Grand Mufti of Jordan, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Prof. Mahmoud Al-Sartawi/ Member
Dr. Majed Al-Darawsheh/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Hijjawi/ Member
Judge Dr. Samer Al-Kobbaj/ Member
Prof. Adam Nooah Al-Qhodah/ Member
Prof. Amjad Rasheed/ Member
Dr. Jameel Khatatbeh/ Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member
Dr. Mohammad al-Zou`bi/ Member