~ A D A B  of  E I D ~
&   Z A K A T     A L  -  F I T R

EID AL-FITR: 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 2009


Eid Mubarak!


 
Some Etiquettes of Eid
 
 Performing the ritual bath (ghusl) before leaving for the Eid Prayer
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Wearing one’s best clothing, white loose fitting cotton clothing is best 
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Having a bite to eat before leaving one’s home for the Eid al-Fitr prayer 
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 Recurrently saying the takbir, starting the night of Eid 
until the Imam appears for the Eid al-Fitr prayer: 
 
"Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar La ila-ha illa-Llah. 
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar Wa lilahill hamd"
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Offering the prayer in congregation in open grounds unless weather is not permitting
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 Greeting one another with warmth and supplications
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Using two separate routes to and from the prayer ground  

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Q&A  Re:  Z A K A T   A L - F I T R
Reviewed by Sh. Faraz Rabbani & Sh. Zahir Bacchus
Our collections will be distributed according to the school of Imam Abu Hanifa

  •  What is the ruling of Zakat al-Fitr? It is obligatory (wajib) for every legally responsible male or female to pay Zakat al-Fitr providing he/she has nisab; about $2,058 of zakatable assets above and beyond one’s immediate necessary possessions.
  •  Does one have to pay it for all his dependents? A father is responsible to pay zakat al-fitr for his dependent young children, not his wife, nor independent older children, but if he pays it on their behalf it is valid even without their permission, since they are under his care.
  • When does paying it become obligatory? Zakat al-Fitr becomes obligatory the morning of Eid, at dawn. And it is recommended to pay it before the Eid prayer. 
  • Can I pay it before Eid?  Yes, it is permitted to pay it well before Eid.
  • What if I didn’t pay it at the time of obligation?  If one was obligated to pay zakat al-fitr but did not pay it, then one remains accountable for it until it is paid even if many years have passed.
  • What is the form of a single payment? The zakat al-fitr is traditionally paid in the form of some types of staple food. A single payment consists of either: a) approximately 2 kilograms (4.41 lbs) in wheat or flour or; b) 4 kilograms in raisins, dates or barley.
  •  Is it permitted to pay the value of it in money? Yes, considering our prosperous economic circumstance here in the west it is in fact better to pay the value of either in monetary currency in the Hanafi school.
  • How much money is to be paid per person in zakat al-fitr? Based on the above options, we suggest $7.00 Canadian per person. 
  • Who do I pay it to? It can be paid to anyone who is needy or legally poor (i.e. someone who doesn't own a nisab—around $2,058 of zakatable assets above and beyond immediate expenses and debts). For Zakat al-Fitr, it isn't a condition that the recipient be Muslim. 
  •  Can I give it to another person or organization to distribute for me correctly? Yes.
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