ZAKAT FITRAH - Ustadz Abdul Somad

Summary

In this script, the speaker discusses the concept of zakat fitrah, a mandatory almsgiving in Islam, explaining its timing and conditions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of paying zakat during the correct period, which spans from sunset on the day before Eid until the imam ascends the pulpit for the Eid prayer. The speaker also addresses common questions, such as the zakat obligation for unborn children and deceased individuals. Additionally, the speaker elaborates on the types of items traditionally used for zakat, such as dates, wheat, and raisins, and highlights the benefits of giving zakat, including spiritual rewards and protection from misfortunes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Zakat Fitrah is a charity paid during Ramadan, and its timing is crucial. The payment is obligatory when a person is alive from sunset on the night before Eid until the Imam ascends the pulpit for the prayer.
• 😀 The payment is required at a specific time: from the Maghrib (sunset) prayer on the night before Eid until the Imam ascends the pulpit for the Eid prayer.
• 😀 If someone passes away before Maghrib on the night of Eid, they are not obligated to pay Zakat Fitrah, as the obligation begins after Maghrib.
• 😀 Newborns who are born during the night of Eid, before the Imam ascends the pulpit, are required to pay Zakat Fitrah, but those born after the Imam ascends are not.
• 😀 Zakat Fitrah can be paid in the form of staple foods such as dates, wheat, raisins, and dried goat milk. Payment with money is controversial, as it is not a practice established by the Prophet Muhammad.
• 😀 Different regions may pay with different foods, such as rice in areas where rice is a staple or sago in Papua, Indonesia, depending on local dietary habits.
• 😀 It is not wrong to pay with rice if it is the local staple food. In some schools of thought, like the Hanafi school, paying with money is also acceptable.
• 😀 Zakat Fitrah should ideally be paid in food, with one person’s obligation being the equivalent of 3 kg of food, though some interpretations suggest a lower amount of 2.5 kg.
• 😀 Paying Zakat Fitrah is a way to give charity, and the rewards of charity are significant. The Prophet Muhammad emphasized giving as a form of blessing and protection from calamities.
• 😀 The script highlights the importance of charity and the spiritual benefits of giving, especially during Ramadan and Eid, as a way to receive blessings and avoid misfortune.

Q & A

What is zakat fitrah and when is it obligatory?

Zakat fitrah is a charitable act of giving at the end of Ramadan, which is obligatory for Muslims who have the means to do so. It must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, typically starting from the evening of the last day of Ramadan (from maghrib until the imam ascends the pulpit).

What happens if someone passes away before the zakat fitrah is paid?

If a person dies before the zakat fitrah is paid, it is no longer obligatory for them. The requirement to pay zakat fitrah depends on being alive from maghrib of the last day of Ramadan until the imam ascends the pulpit for the Eid prayer. If someone dies before this time, they are not required to pay.

Is zakat fitrah required for a baby born right before the imam ascends the pulpit?

Yes, a baby born before the imam ascends the pulpit during the night of Eid (the takbir night) is subject to zakat fitrah. However, if the baby is born after the imam ascends the pulpit, zakat fitrah is not required.

What are the common food items used to pay zakat fitrah?

The common food items used to pay zakat fitrah, according to the Prophet Muhammad, include dates (tamrin), wheat (qhin), raisins (zabib), and dried goat milk (akid). These items are considered staple foods, and some variations, like rice or other local staples, may be used depending on the region.

Can money be used instead of food to pay zakat fitrah?

While the Prophet Muhammad did not use money for zakat fitrah, some scholars, like those from the Hanafi school of thought, allow it. However, many other schools, including Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali, emphasize using food or basic necessities instead of money for zakat fitrah.

Is it permissible to pay zakat fitrah with rice, even though it was not used by the Prophet?

Yes, paying zakat fitrah with rice is permissible, especially in regions where rice is a staple food. The primary goal is to provide for those in need, and it is allowed to adapt the payment to the local context, as long as it is a food staple.

What is the weight of zakat fitrah per person?

Zakat fitrah is traditionally calculated to be about 1 sa' of food per person, which is roughly equivalent to 3 kilograms of food. Different interpretations exist regarding the exact weight, with some authorities suggesting around 2.5 kilograms, but the key is to provide an adequate portion to those in need.

Can I pay zakat fitrah on behalf of my family or neighbors?

Yes, you can pay zakat fitrah on behalf of your family, including children, or even your neighbors, as long as they are in need. This can be done by providing the zakat directly or delivering the food to an organization managing the distribution.

What should be done if someone accidentally misses the deadline for zakat fitrah?

If someone misses the deadline for paying zakat fitrah before the Eid prayer, it can still be given as regular charity (sadaqah), but it will no longer count as the specific zakat fitrah. It is encouraged to fulfill the obligation as soon as possible to ensure the benefits of zakat fitrah are received.

Why is it important to give zakat fitrah according to the script?

Zakat fitrah is a way to purify one's fast and to provide for those in need during Eid al-Fitr. It is a practice that emphasizes social solidarity and charity, helping to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial status, can partake in the celebration of Eid.