Resolution No.(180)(12/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"The Amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the Year 1433"
Date: 28/8/1433 AH, corresponding to 18/7/2012 AD.
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On the above given date, the Board reassessed the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the year 1433 AH. After researching and deliberating, it decided the following:
Zakat-ul-Fitr is one of the obligations of Islam as indicated by the following Hadith, narrated by Abdullah Ibn Omar that: "Allah's Messenger (PBUH) 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." [Agreed upon].
Zakat-ul-Fitr embodies social solidarity that characterizes our tolerant Sharia; particularly, in the blessed month of Ramadan; the month of goodness and kindness. Therefore, it is obligatory upon every Muslim who owns extra provisions beyond his need as well as the need of everyone in his family on the day and night of Id-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.
Therefore, the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr is one sa` of food; the sa` equals (2.5 Kgs.), given by a Muslim from what the people of his country eat the most. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the common food is wheat; therefore, Zakat-ul-Fitr is (2.5 Kgs.) of wheat on every Muslim person. It is also permissible to give one sa` of rice since it is more useful to the poor and easier to provide by the giver. Moreover, it is permissible to give the value of this amount in currency.
The Board estimates the value of the sa` from the common food in Jordan as (1500 F.), and whoever wishes to pay more shall have a greater reward from Allah, The Almighty.
The preferred time for giving Zakat-ul-Fitr is between the sunset of the last day of Ramadan and the E`ed prayer. It is also permissible to give it from the beginning of Ramadan.
Nowadays, it is imperative that Muslims observe this ritual (Zakat-ul-Fitr) since it purifies the soul of the giver. 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 (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 “ {Abu Dawood}. Giving it to the poor makes them self-sufficient on the day of E`ed; therefore , a Muslim must give it willingly and kindly.
We pray that Allah, The Almighty, accepts our acts of devotion and forgives our sins. And Allah Knows Best.
The Board of Iftaa`
The Grand Mufti of Jordan / His Eminence Sheikh AbdulKareem al-Khasawneh
Prof. Hail Abdul Hafeez / Member
Prof. Abdulnasser Abulbasal / Member
Dr. Yahia al-Botoosh / Member
Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi / Member
Dr. Wasif al-Bakhri / Member
Prof. Mohammad al-Qhodat / Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh / Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa / Member
Dr. Mohammad al-Z`obi / Member
