Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(95): “Ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr“

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(95) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

     "Ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr“    

Date: 9/9/1426 AH, corresponding to 12/10/2005.

 

 

Question:

What is the ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr ?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is the Zakat due in Ramadan on every Muslim who can afford to give it, whether young or old, male or female. Ibn Umar narrated: “Allah's Apostle enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the 'Id prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms approx).”{Bukhari}.

It has been enjoined for what is mentioned in the following Hadith: Ibn ’Abbas (RAA) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) 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." [Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih].

A Muslim is obliged to give for himself and on behalf of those whom he is obliged to provide for: wife, children,  his Muslim servants, and his baby who is born before the Eid prayer.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley or the like from the regular food of the people of that country.

A Muslim is free to choose from these items in accordance with his financial capability, and it is permissible to give the monetary value of the Sa`, so as to facilitate for Muslims and do what is best for the poor. The monetary value of the Sa` of each item is estimated by the circulated price of that item. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the regular food is wheat; therefore, the monetary value of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the year (2005) was estimated at six hundred and fifty fils as a minimum, and whoever gives more Allah will multiply his reward.

Its due time is after the sunset of Eid night and before the Eid prayer. This is based on the Hadith narrated by Ibn Umar: “The Prophet ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the 'Id prayer." {Bukhari}. However, it is permissible to give it during Ramadan to facilitate for the poor. And Allah knows best.

 

 

 

Iftaa` Board

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izzaldeen Al-Tamimi

Dr. AbdulMajeed Al-Salaheen

Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi

Dr. Yousef Ghyzaan

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Dr. Abdukareem Al-Khasawneh

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi

Sheikh Nae`im Mujahid

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on praying in congregation at the mosque?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Congregational prayer (Salat al-Jama‘ah) is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) for resident men regarding the performance of the prescribed (obligatory) prayers. For men, praying in congregation at the mosque is better than praying elsewhere, such as at home. On the authority of Abdullah bin Umar, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven degrees more excellent than the prayer of a person alone' (Reported by Bukhari & Muslim). Furthermore, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Shall I not tell you that by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks?' They said, 'Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Performing wudu thoroughly despite difficulties, taking many steps toward the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after the prayer; that is your Ribat (steadfastness)' (Narrated by Muslim).
 
As for a woman, her praying in congregation at home is better for her than in the mosque, according to the saying of our Master the Prophet ﷺ: 'Do not prevent your women from attending the mosques, but their homes are better for them' (Narrated by Abu Dawood). Young boys should be encouraged to attend the mosques and congregational prayers so they may become accustomed to them. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Who is required to give fidyah for fasting?

Fidyah—feeding one needy person for each missed fasting day—is required for:
1. Those who are permanently unable to fast, such as:
○ Elderly men and women who are too weak to fast.
○ People with chronic illnesses that have no hope of recovery.
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding women who break their fast out of fear for their child (fetus or infant).
3. A person who delays making up Ramadan fasts (qada) until the next Ramadan begins, without a valid excuse.
4. The estate of a deceased person who had missed obligatory fasts and had the ability to make them up but did not do so.

Is the marriage, which lacks a valid legal contract, a guardian, and a court registration, valid?

It is incumbent that a valid marriage contract be concluded in the presence of a guardian and two trustful witnesses, and it should be registered in the court to protect the rights of the wife. Actually, a valid marriage contract is what differentiates between sound marriage and fornication.

Can someone who begins a voluntary fast break it?

It is preferable for someone who begins an act of worship not to break it.
Allah the Exalted has said {what means}: "and let not your [good] deeds come to nought!" [Muhammad/33].
However, if a person starts a voluntary fast (nafl) and needs to break it, they are going against what is preferable, but there is no sin upon them.