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Reasons for Zakat Al-Fitr and What Islam Says About It
Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The
Messenger of Allah [an error occurred while processing
this directive] (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
made zakat al-fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the
fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to
feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an
accepted zakat, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it
is just a kind of charity (sadaqah).” (Reported by Abu
Dawood, 1371. Al-Nawawi said: Abu Dawood reported it from
Ibn ‘Abbas with a hasan isnad).
“Purifying” means purifying
the soul of the one who has fasted Ramadan. With regard to
the word “foul language”, Ibn al-Atheer said: “ ‘Foul
language’ refers to obscene speech. ‘Feeding [the poor]’
refers to food that is edible. ‘Whoever pays it before the
prayer’ means before Salat al-‘Eid. ‘It is an accepted
zakat’ – here zakat means sadaqat al-fitr. ‘Just a kind of
charity’ means a kind of charity that could be given at
any time.” (‘Awn al-Ma’bood Sharh Abi Dawood).
It was said that this is
what was meant by the ayah in Soorat al-A’la
(interpretation of the meaning): “But those will prosper
who purify themselves, and glorify the name of their
Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in Prayer.” [al-A’la
87:14-15 – Yusuf Ali’s translation]. It was reported that
‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez and Abu’l-‘Aliyah said: “He [the
Prophet [an error occurred while processing this
directive] (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)]
paid zakat al-fitr then he went out for the prayer – i.e.,
Salat al-‘Eid. (Al-Jassas, Ahkam al-Qur’an, part 3, Soorat
al-A’la).
Wakee’ ibn al-Jarrah said: “Zakat al-fitr for the month of
Ramadan is like two sajdahs of sahw for the prayer. It
makes up for any shortcomings in the fast as the
prostrations make up for any shortcomings in the prayer.”
(Al-Nawawi, al-Majmoo’, part 6).
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