Eid Morning Program, Namaz-e-Eid-ul-Fitr @ 8:30 am, Speakers: Maulana Zafar Abbas Naquavi

ESTABLISHMENT OF ZAKAT AL-FITRAH – Zakat is an obligatory tax prescribed by God the Almighty who likened it to prayer in many verses. He states in the Holy Qur’an: “Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their prayers and who shun vain conversation and who are payers of the poor due.” (23:1-4). The Prophet (as) confirmed it in many traditions as a pillar of Islam.

GUIDELINES FOR PAYMENT –  Zakat al-Fitrah is obligatory on the individual who is sane, an adult (physically mature), and financially capable (whose finances are secured through available assets or continuous income).

This type of Zakat should be set aside on the eve of Eid al-Fitr and be paid on the day itself, which marks the first day of the month of Shawwal. It may also be paid earlier to a delegated person/organization, who will take the appropriate steps to distribute it during the obligated time period.

A sum must be paid on a person’s behalf as well as on behalf of all those who are his dependents. This would also include any guests who are staying overnight during the eve of Eid al-Fitr, under the care of the person. A family of 4, for example, who also has 2 guests staying overnight during the eve of Eid al-Fitr would pay a total of 6 times the Zakat, to account for each family member and guest. For every individual, the minimum given must be enough to feed one miskeen (needy person), which is the equivalent of 6.6 pounds of a popular basic food commodity such as rice or wheat (flour), as opposed to a cooked full meal. Therefore, the Dollar amount given is the estimated recommended equivalent value of 6.6 pounds of the basic food commodity. On the day of Eid, the zakat will be distributed to the poor.

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