8 Basic Mistakes Muslims make when Paying 'Zakaat Al-Fitr'.

'Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was  Salaam `ala Rasulillah'.

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  As Salaam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah .

 8 Basic Mistakes Muslims make when Paying 'Zakaat Al-Fitr'.

 Ibn `Umar (R.A) reported that...  Prophet (Sal Allahu`Alayhi wa Sallam), 

 made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the   Muslims ! one Saa`(a measurement) of dried  

 dates, or one Saa` of barley... 

[ Source:  Sahih Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2. p. 339, H # 579]

 Mistake # 1~ Paying at Eid Salah. 

 Some people go to Eid Prayers and drop money  in the donation box thinking that they have paid  their Zakat Al-Fitr. 

No... ! Zakat Al-Fitr, which is food,  must be in the hands of the needy family  BEFORE the Eid Prayer...! 

If someone goes to Eid Prayer and pays then it  is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time ! 

Mistake # 2~ Snail Mailing the money overseas 

[basic principle as before]

The Zakat Al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer.

 One cannot mail the money  overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the 

 needy, after  Eid Prayer is over ...!

However, if one is able to get the Zakat Al-Fitr to the   needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is  conducted in their locality, 

  then In Shaa Allah it’s alright.

  Mistake # 3~ Not Paying. 

 Yes, as simple as this error is, it is  to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. 

 EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, for each & every member of the household. 

 So if you have 8 people in your house,  'Zakat Al-Fitr' must be paid X 8, even if the 

 youngest member is just a few days old...!

 Mistake # 4~ Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with  Zakat ul-Maal. 


We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. 'Ramadan'). 

'Zakat Al-Maal' ('Maal' literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money, etc...

 and that could be due any time  during the year depending on when it was due. 

 Mistake # 5~ Giving money instead of food .

Although some scholars have allowed giving  money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr 

 is to give food to the needy of the community, NOT money. 

 (one can give money to the local 'Masjid'  in charge and they can give food with that  

 money, on time as specified .

 The Companion of the Prophet [PEACE BE UPON HIM]

 Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, {Radi Allahu `Anhu} said...

 'In the Prophet's time, we used to give it  (Zakat Al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates, 

 barley,  raisins or dried cheese".

[Source: Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340,~H # 582]

 Mistake # 6~ Giving one’s Zakah Al-Fitr to  

 a charitable building project...

Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr  to a charitable building project ... 

like the building of a 'Masjid', or Islamic school. 

 There is a difference of opinion on this issue... 

 but suffice it to say that the spirit of  Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have 

 plentiful food on Eid. {'In Shaa Allah'}

 All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned   in the 'Qur`an' are HUMANS, not  “building projects”.

Mistake # 7~ Giving Zakat ul-Fitr  to non-Muslims. 

 Charity is given to both Non-Muslims  and Muslims. 

 However, Zakah Al-Fitr charity  is something exclusive to  the MUSLIM poor and needy. 

Hence, one could not give  Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street.

“Regular” charity can be given to them,  but not Zakah Al-Fitr.

  Mistake # 8 ~Delaying distribution....

 Sometimes 'Masjids' might collect  Zakah Al-Fitr money  and then put it in a bank...!

 It doesn’t reach the needy  for months and months ! 

 The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr  immediately when it is due. 

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~ My 'Salaams' to  all ~

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Courtesy: S i s t e r  Y a s m i n. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

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"All that is on earth will Perish. But will abide {Forever}

the Face of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor"

{'Qur`an'- Surah Al-Rahman-55.26-27 }

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Compiled,edited and adapted by Khalid Latif

www.thekhalids.org