|
The
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “You
see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing
love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part
of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia)
and fever with it.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
 |
| Zakat al-fitr
can be paid in barley, dates, raisins, and money, among other things. |
The
word “zakah”
in Arabic means purification. The giving of zakah (obligatory charity) is the
third pillar of Islam. There are two types of zakah: zakat
al-mal (charity paid on one’s wealth) and zakat al-fitr
(charity paid before breaking the fast of Ramadan).
Every free Muslim who owns a saa`
(2.176 kilograms or 4.797 pounds) of dates or barley that is not needed as a
basic food for himself or his family is required to pay zakat al-fitr at
the end of Ramadan and before the `Eid Prayer. Every free Muslim must pay zakat al-fitr
for himself, his wife, children and servants.
The Prophet Muhammad enjoined
zakah on those who fast to purify them from any indecent act or deeds. It is a
sort of purification of the soul on the individual level, a cure against
miserliness, and a social safety net. The rich are obliged to come in contact
with the poor and the poor with the even less fortunate.
This contact between the various
levels of society helps to create a real bond of brotherhood in the Muslim
community. Zakah provides for the poor and spares them the humiliation of asking
for charity. The Prophet Muhammad said, “Fulfill their need on this day”
(that is, on the day of `Eid).
Zakat al-fitr is
obligatory on every Muslim, rich or poor alike, young and old, because every
Muslim needs this purification. The head of the household must pay for every
member of the family, even for the newborn.
This concept of charity and
generosity is central to the message of Islam. In the Qur’an, the believers
are described as what means […those
who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity]
(Aal `Imran3: 134) |
- 
