By Shaikh M. Ibrahim Memon

Sadaqatul-Fitr:
This is also called Zakat-ul-Fitr. Almighty Allah has established certain rights and obligations in regards to wealth. From among these is paying Sadaqat ul-Fitr by every Muslim who owns a minimum of 19.75 Troy oz. of silver, or its equivalent in the form of money, stocks, jewelry or commodities beyond ones normal needs. This Sadaqat ul-Fitr must be payed on behalf of himself & his children before the Eid prayer.

The wisdom behind the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is narrated in hadith of Abu-Dawood and Mustadrik-Hakim: Ibn Abbas narrates, “The Prophet declared the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr as obligatory, as it (Sadaqat-ul-Fitr) purifies the fasting person from his errors, sins (i.e. backbiting, lying etc) and is a source of feeding the poor.”

Two reasons have been stated in the above Hadith. The first reason is that paying Sadaqat ul-Fitr may serve as a compensation for the mistakes and errors which occurred during the fast. It is obvious that fasting is a very important form of worship in Islam. The majority of us do not fast the way we ought to fast. It is for this reason Sadaqat-ul-Fitr has been established, so that it may compensate for our mistakes and errors.

Shaikh Wa’qee Ibn Jarah states, “Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, for the month of Ramadaan, is exactly like sajdah sahoo (remedial prostration due to forgetfulness) in salah. Just like sajdah sahoo compensates for the errors preformed in salah; likewise Sadaqat ul-Fitr compensates for the sins and mistakes occurred during the fast.”

The second reason for the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is that it gives the poor an opportunity to celebrate Eid in a decent manner; taking benefit from the money (Sadaqat ul-Fitr) which they are entitled to receive.

THE AMOUNT OF SADAQAT UL-FITR

 Just like the Prophet of Allah  prescribed a specific amount of Zakat, likewise he prescribed a specific amount of Sadaqat ul-Fitr. As no one is allowed to change the amount of Zakat, similarly, it is impermissible to change the amount of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. Nowadays, a type of corruption [fitnah] has spread as different mosques around North America prescribe different amounts of Sadaqat ul-Fitr. Some prescribe five dollars while others prescribe seven, eight, ten, fifteen etc. However, the following hadith clearly outlines the amount of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr prescribed by the Prophet .

Hassan narrates from Ibn Abbas that once, in the city of Basrah, he delivered a sermon towards the end of Ramadan. He said, “Pay charity (Sadaqat-ul-Fitr) on behalf of your fasts!” From among the congregation, no one knew how much to pay. Ibn Abbas  asked, “Is their anyone from Madinah? If so, stand up and inform your brothers as they do not know how much to pay!” Thereafter Ibn Abbas stated, “The messenger of Allah has made obligatory the charity of fitr- one sa’a of dates or barely, or half a sa’a of wheat upon every free man or slave, male or female, young or old.” (Abu Dawood)

 One sa’a of wheat is equivalent to 7.7 pounds (3.50 kg). Thus half a sa’a is 3.85 pounds (1.75kg). This directly proves that the amount of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is 3.85 pounds (1.75kg) of wheat, which is equal to approximately $2.00 (according to the price of wheat nowadays in North America).

Say for example, a person has a big family and is not able to pay Sadaqat-ul-Fitr according to the high amount given to him. This person’s sins will be upon those shoulders that told him the wrong amount. Nevertheless it has been observed that the masjid in which laborers go to offer their prayers, Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is $2.00; whereas an “upper class” masjid in which professionals go to, Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is $10.00. There is no discrimination in Islam as Islam is a religion which believes in the concept of equality. However if this type of behavior or conduct continues, we as a collective Ummah may and will face great consequences. May Allah save us from this!  Ameen.

Looking at the hadith of the Prophet of Allah , we can come to the conclusion that the Prophet wanted Muslims to pay Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. It is for this reason that masters are encouraged (ordained) to pay on behalf of their slaves and parents on behalf of their children. Likewise, if a child is born before the break of dawn on the day of Eid, the parents also have to pay on behalf of the newborn. Shari’ah has prescribed such a minimal amount so that a number of people may be able to give and afford this form of charity. Please keep in mind that this is for the minimum amount of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. There is no limit for the maximum.