On Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭr As Money Instead Of Food
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Identifier: http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/05/regarding-giving-zakat-al-fi%e1%b9%adr-in-money-in-place-of-food
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Subject: zakat
Title: On Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭr As Money Instead Of Food
Created on: Fri Sep 05 13:48:24 -0400 2008
Updated on: Fri Sep 05 13:48:24 -0400 2008
Version: 1
Abstract: ... ho are so desperately poor that they need to be given staple food items – is typically far, far less than the quantity of those who are paying zakāt al-fiṭr. Conclusion: Zakāt al-fiṭr was given in staple food items during the life of the Prophet ṣalla Allahu ʿalayhi wa sallam because there were many families who were in dire need of it. Such food items were more accessible to the Muslims than gold and silver, and poverty was so pronounced that it was more needed by the poor than gold and silver. There is no unequivocal textual evidence that implies that it is a requirement for the zakāt to be accepted that it only be given in staple food items. Rather, what is required is that such staple items or their equivalent be given, depending on the need, situation and circumstance of each community. And one of the equivalents is money. There are quite a few opinions from the early scholars allowing such a substitution, and in fact it became official policy during the Caliphate of the noble ʿUmar b. ʿAbd al-Azīz, the ‘fifth Rightly Guided Caliph’. Hence, one of the madhhabs adopted this position as well. Taking into account the goals of the Sharīʾah and applying them to the situation of Western Muslims, there seems no reason to oblige Muslims to give zakāt al-fiṭr in staple food items. For us, money is more easily available than grain, and it is also more needed by the poor. Additionally, trying to apply the majority opinion at a community level is very impractical, if not outright impossible. Having said that, there is no doubt that if an individual person is able to do give zakāt al-fiṭr in staple food, and finds worthy recipients, he or she has followed the letter and spirit of the law. But if someone gives money instead, the obligation of zakāt al-fiṭr has been fulfilled. And Allah knows best. More from this category Ramadan Conference Call 2007 TranscriptKicking the Habit - The 6-Steps Ramadan AdviceRetread: Understanding the Controversies Regarding MoonsightingRamadhaan To The Max! More from this author Retread: Understanding the Controversies Regarding MoonsightingAn Exegesis of the Basmala‘Nabiha My Love’ - But a Person is With the One Whom They LoveThe Arabic Qur’ān and Foreign Words Subscribe to this author Tagged as: Ibaadah, Worship 26 Responses to “On Giving Zakāt al-Fiṭr As Money Instead Of Food”--> Comments (25) Trackbacks & Pingbacks (1) Comments aarij said: Shaikh Yasir, a question about Zakat (and Zakat-ul-Fitr since its recipients are the same): “As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and Al-Masâkin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; ….” [Tawbah:60] The category of “those in debt”, does this apply to students who have riba loans on their heads and people who are stuck in mortgages? Because this is the biggest problem - in my humble opinion - of the Muslim community here in Canada. If it does, then subhan Allah, what better Eid gift for students than to receive money from zakat so that they can graduate debt free! It’s like a dream come true for so many. -October 6th, 2007 at 12:13 am Abu Bakr said: Would it be safe to say that this beneficial opinion can be regarded as one of the blessings of the madhhab of Imam Abu Hanifah, rahimahulllah? -October 6th, 2007 at 1:24 am ibnabeeomar (Author) said: jazakallahu khayr! this was very beneficial -October 6th, 2007 at 1:35 am inexplicabletimelessness said: Jazak Allahu khairan. Very nice summary of this topic mashaAllah. -October 6th, 2007 at 2:00 am hijabhaven said: Assalamu’Alaykum, that was a good article. I did not know that Shafi’e teaching discouraged monetary payments as zakatul fitr. In Malaysia where Muslims predominantly follow Imam Shafi’e’s teaching, the collection of zakatul fitr is done in cash. I guess it is more for convenience sake and since it is organised by zakat collection bodies, distribution is also easier when money is collected. Thanks for the information. Very beneficial. -October 6th, 2007 at 8:54 am AbdulHasib said: As-salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatAllah shaykhana, If the zakat al-fitr is collected through money and then distributed to the community by means of those food items (as one shaykh mentioned, that which suits the types of food in that locality - for example giving bags of dates may not be suitable in north america, etc.), wouldn’t that be combining the two opinions in either case? Since there can be a collection of funds from the people for the zakat (let’s say $8 per head in the household) before ‘Eid, and then distributed as per the needs of the poor people in that locality. (since the Objective of Zakat al-fitr being due on ‘Eid, is to make sure the poor have food on the day of eating, drinking, and rejoicing as the rest of the muslims). WAllahu ‘Alam -October 6th, 2007 at 9:06 am Sis Shaykha said: Asalaamu Alaaikum Sheikh, Thank you, that was indeed a very beneficial read/article. Which would you say is more deserving though: those who are in your locality who are poor but getting by, and those in other countries who are literally starving (like orphans and widows and such). I’m thinking the latter, and this is what my family will insha’Allah do. But if the money gets there let’s say later than Eid, will it still count? Our imam said no, it won’t count?! Well wouldn’t it take more than a couple of days to deliver money across seas. Does your intention play a part in this, like let’s say you do have the intention to give it, it’s just that it arrived late. ? Also there is a great fitna, perhaps only I see it, but there is suscpicion from Muslims that their zakat money is not going to the “Right” people. How do you warn these people not to do this. And even if it were to say go to someone who is not deserving or is wasted, it’s the intention that counts right? That you originally gave it for the sake of Allah. I don’t know, perhaps this fitna only exists with some people, they probably do this out of nationalism and other diseases though. May Allah make our zakatul fitr a purification for us, ameen thanks again for the article Ma’Salaama -October 6th, 2007 at 11:35 am Amad (Author) said: salam If the zakat al-fitr is collected through money and then distributed to the community by means of those food items (as one shaykh mentioned, that which suits the types of food in that locality - for example giving bags of dates may not be suitable in north america, etc.), wouldn’t that be combining the two opinions in either case? This is what the majority of people who believe in ZF as being only in food, already do. But it still misses the practical issue at hand. For example, let’s say in Houston, 20% of the Muslims give the ZF in cash to the authority, let’s say ISGH (islamic society of greater houston). Assume 100,000 Muslims (which is lower end), so then you are looking at 20,000 x 8 = $160,000. That would buy you TONS and TONS of food, and where would you find all those poor people to distribute to? This is the issue at hand. I’ll give you my own example. Last year, I collected money from about 20 or so people, and ended up filling half my van with food. And really struggled to find anyone for it. Eventually I found a mosque in a nearby city with poor Muslims, the Imam of which promised to do the distribution. I hope he did, because his little Masjid was 1/4 full with supplies! I do see the practical issue. I would have hoped that as an alternative, some Islamic fund would be set up, which delivered food in a timely manner in poor Muslim countries. So, a party like ISGH could perhaps split up the money — 50% of it going to this fund, 50% to the local Muslims in cash and equivalents. wallahualam. Probably much harder than it sounds. And then the question of supporting the locals versus those further from you comes into play. So, I’d like to ask another question about preference and being closest to Sunnah: Should you give cash locally, or IF there is a way (like through family for immigrants), have it given in food to poor Muslims abroad? P.S. Just a little plug-in for Dar-us-Salam who are collecting payments online and distributing food bought with that money. However, they also recognize and accept what Shaykh Yasir has mentioned here (based on the pamphlet on their site): MuslimApple gives the info -October 6th, 2007 at 12:16 pm AbdulHasib said: The reason I ask, was that shaykh Yasir hafidahullah mentioned that some cases they may have no need for the certain staple food items. What some communities do is look for and announce for collecting the money for zakat al-fitr for those needy families withIN the community. After having collected, they either give the money for the family to spend on the food items themselves, or more likely, the brothers go and buy the food as NEEDED for the number of needy families (and they are tabulated in advance, meaning we already know how many families, what they need, etc.). After having spent the money, the rest of the money is SENT to places of dire need where the money can be used to fully feed needy muslims with those staple food items in other countries or states, etc. Meaning there are places where our brothers and sisters genuinely can use the food items as opposed to other places where the need isn’t as dire. This is what i meant as practicality as well as addressing the objectivity of zakat al-fitr. So not like splitting the funds. Rather using all of the funds for the needs of the community, and whatever is leftover sent to where they can benefit. I’m sure it&#... [Full Article...]
