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on #Sadaqah Al-Fitr/ #Zakat Al-Fitr1)Wisdom behind it
2)Should it be given in cash or kind?
3)Does it have to be whole grains only?
4)Can meat/eggs/fruits be given?
5)What is the minimum amount?
6)On whom is it obligatory
7)Where and When to give it?
#Ramadan
#EidAtHome
Disclaimer: There are maybe many opinions on some issues. I have consolidated my personal opinions in this thread but you are free to follow any other view as well. Advanced Eid Mubarak to you all.
1. Wisdom/Purpose behind it:
2 main purposes: the first of them deals with the people who are fasting, giving Sadaqah Al-Fitr is considered an expiation for all the spiritual shortcomings that were present while you were fasting during Ramadan.
2 main purposes: the first of them deals with the people who are fasting, giving Sadaqah Al-Fitr is considered an expiation for all the spiritual shortcomings that were present while you were fasting during Ramadan.
Second, is to feed the poor on the day of Eid so that they do not have to beg or starve on this happy and blessed day. Remember the spirit behind giving Sadaqah Al-Fitr. So do not just treat it as a "mere" obligation that you just want to do and finish off with.
2. Cash or grain?
The matter is flexible. You can either give it in cash if that is feasible or you can give grain/food items. Depending on the situation you should choose the best option.
The matter is flexible. You can either give it in cash if that is feasible or you can give grain/food items. Depending on the situation you should choose the best option.
You should give a food item that is commonly eaten in your region (which means do not give tortillas and tacos to a person living in Mumbai, India)
For eg; If you want to help a house where there is a lack of grain, then it is better that you source the grains and deliver it to them at their doorstep, that will be the most appropriate thing to do in this situation.
However, if you want to help a house that does not have a pressing need for food grains but what they are in much more need is cash, then unloading a 10kg bag of wheat at that doorstep wouldn't be the smartest option.
Personally, I prefer to give both grain and cash, depending on whom I am giving to. The choice is yours so choose wisely. Cash allows the recipient the freedom to choose though. Maybe they don’t like eating wheat/rice maybe they want to have something else on the day of Eid.
3. Does it have to be whole grains only?
If you are going to give food grain, I would highly recommend to NOT give whole grains, like whole-wheat or similar, which cannot be used straight away.
If you are going to give food grain, I would highly recommend to NOT give whole grains, like whole-wheat or similar, which cannot be used straight away.
This is not the olden times where every other house had a grindstone to turn grain into flour. You will give a huge sack of wheat grains to a poor man's house and although he will accept the kind gesture, you have just burdened him to spend more money, time, and effort
to turn that grain in an edible/usable form. You may also give cooked food, so please for the sake of Allah do not give a bag of whole wheat grains to a roadside beggar or a homeless person, how on earth is he supposed to use it?
You might have fulfilled your obligation "technically" but completely missed the spirit and wisdom behind it. Use your common sense.
4. Can meat/eggs/fruits be given?
There is no issue if you give something other than rice/wheat. So in addition to giving wheat flour/rice you can also give meat/eggs/fruits and other eatables to make the Eid a day of joy for the poor. A bit of meat can make many happy!
There is no issue if you give something other than rice/wheat. So in addition to giving wheat flour/rice you can also give meat/eggs/fruits and other eatables to make the Eid a day of joy for the poor. A bit of meat can make many happy!
5. What is the minimum amount?
The usual amount that is given for food grains is ~2-3kg (depending on which school you follow) and similar. But always remember that this is just the BARE MINIMUM. You can and should try to give more if possible.
The usual amount that is given for food grains is ~2-3kg (depending on which school you follow) and similar. But always remember that this is just the BARE MINIMUM. You can and should try to give more if possible.
Remember the amount you spend at a dinner for two at a fancy restaurant, that amount can buy a good feast for an entire family. Especially in these tough times we should be extra generous.
6. On whom is it obligatory:
Every male/female/young/old. This means if in a family there are 5 members, Husband/wife/3 kids then it is supposed to be given on behalf of every one of them.
As per 3 schools of law, there is no nisab for Sadaqah Al-Fitr and everyone should give
Every male/female/young/old. This means if in a family there are 5 members, Husband/wife/3 kids then it is supposed to be given on behalf of every one of them.
As per 3 schools of law, there is no nisab for Sadaqah Al-Fitr and everyone should give
it as long as they have sufficient for themselves. This means even if you don’t have wealth surplus of 85g of gold or 593g of silver even then you are supposed to give Sadaqah Al-Fitr on your behalf.
Technically in the Hanafi school there is mention of a nisab for it, however in practical terms it is applicable to everyone except for those who are suffering from abject poverty.
7. When and Where to give?
It should be given out before the Eid prayer but can also be given in advance, couple of days before the end of Ramadan. It is disliked to delay and give it after the Eid prayer, but in case for some reason you are unable to,
It should be given out before the Eid prayer but can also be given in advance, couple of days before the end of Ramadan. It is disliked to delay and give it after the Eid prayer, but in case for some reason you are unable to,
then you should give it as soon as possible when the opportunity arises.
As much as possible try to give the give it in your local area/city. Many a times we might be exporting our Fitr to faraway countries while people in our own locality might be suffering from starvation.
As much as possible try to give the give it in your local area/city. Many a times we might be exporting our Fitr to faraway countries while people in our own locality might be suffering from starvation.
Especially in times when people are undergoing hardship and difficulty and unemployment is high you need to prioritize where you are giving.
If you are unable to physically give out the Sadaqah Al-Fitr yourself (although I highly recommend...
If you are unable to physically give out the Sadaqah Al-Fitr yourself (although I highly recommend...
...you to do so and involve your children and family members in the act as this will help inculcate the spirit of giving) you can take the help of any trusted organization to do it on your behalf. In my area, it was usually JIH which used to help facilitate this.
and lastly Have a blessed #Eid !
