Know about Sadaqa-e-Fitr? Ramadan Special

Know about Sadaqa-e-Fitr? What is Sadaqa-e-Fitra? Ramadan Special

What is Sadaqa-e-Fitra?

The Holy Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam has stated that 'a servant's fast remains stuck between the earth and sky until he gives Sadaqa-e-Fitra [Delami, Khateeb, Ibn-e-Asaakar].

Sadaqa-e-Fitr is Wajib upon such a person who owns assets, which equal the value of the Nisab. Such individuals should give Sadaqa-e-Fitr on their behalf and on behalf of their children, if they do not own assets equal to the value of Nisab. Yes, however, if the children do own assets which are equal to or more than the Nisab limit, then the Sadaqa-e-Fitr shall be given from their own wealth. [al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Bahar-e-Shari’at]

How to calculate Sadaqa Al-Fitr?
The quantity of Sadqa-e-Fitr is half a Sa'a of wheat or it's flour or instead of this half a Sa'a of it's mixture with barley, or one Sa'a of dates or raisins or barley or it's flour or instead of this one Sa'a of it's mixture [Hidaya, Durr-e-Mukhtar, Alamgiri etc.}. Rule: It is better to give the flour of wheat or barley rather than the grains and it is better than that to give the monetary value, whether you give the value of wheat, barley or dates. However, during a price war or famine it is better to give the goods than money. If money is given for bad wheat then subsidise the rest of the money with the money of good wheat [Radd-ul-Mohtar].

In today's time, A common understanding is 1 Sa'a is equivalent to 2.5 kg of wheat.

So you can give 2.5 kg of wheat or equivalent amount for each person of the family, man or woman, adult or child, sick or healthy individual, old or young family member. The Senior person who is Malik E Nisaab is responsible to give Sadqa-e-Fitr .

Who is Malik E Nisab?
The owner of Nisab in the ruling as regards Sadaqa-e-Fitr is such a person who has 7 ½ Tola gold (93 grammes 312 milligrammes,) or 52 ½ Tola silver (653 grammes 184 milligrammes), or their equivalent value in money or any other form of asset. Or, one owns business or non-business stock equivalent to that value, and these goods are additional to the basic necessities of living (Hajat-e-Asliyyah).

Who should be given Sadqa-e-Fitr ?

The same people qualify for giving Sadqa-e-Fitr as those who qualify for giving Zakat to except for an Aamil An Aamil can be given Zakat but not Sadqa-e-Fitr [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].

Rule: There are seven types of people who can accept Zakat;

1. Faqir - poor person

2. Misqueen - Beggar

3. Aamil (Designated Person)

4. Riqab - Slave

5. Gharim - Person in debt

6. Fee-Sabeelillah - Spent in the path of Allah

7. Abn-isabeel - Traveller

Important points on Sadaqa-e-Fitr

Sadaqa-e-Fitr is Wajib upon such a person who owns assets, which equal the value of the Nisab. Such individuals should give Sadaqa-e-Fitr on their behalf and on behalf of their children, if they do not own assets equal to the value of Nisab. Yes, however, if the children do own assets which are equal to or more than the Nisab limit, then the Sadaqa-e-Fitr shall be given from their own wealth. [al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Bahar-e-Shari’at]
The owner of Nisab in the ruling as regards Sadaqa-e-Fitr is such a person who has 7 ½ Tola gold (93 grammes 312 milligrammes,) or 52 ½ Tola silver (653 grammes 184 milligrammes), or their equivalent value in money or any other form of asset. Or, one owns business or non-business stock equivalent to that value, and these goods are additional to the basic necessities of living (Hajat-e-Asliyyah).
For the Sadaqa-e-Fitr to become Wajib it is not necessary that one has fasted. Therefore, if anyone did not fast due to any excuse valid in the eyes of the Islamic Law; such as one is a musafir (travelling to a destination which is at a distance of approximately 57 ½ miles or 92 kilometres), or is ill such that his illness shall become worse if he fasts, or because of weakness caused by old age, or – Allah forbid! – one did not keep the fasts due to any non-valid reason, then the Sadaqa-e-Fitr is still Wajib upon the person. [Radd al-Muhtar – Vol. 2 Page 76 and Bahar-e-Shari’at]
If the father is so poor (that he cannot give his own Sadaqa-e-Fitr let alone on behalf of his children,) or has passed away, then it is Wajib on the grandfather to give Sadaqa-e-Fitr on behalf of his grandchildren. [al-Durr al-Mukhtar]
If one wants to give anything besides wheat, barley, dates or raisins; for example, rice, millet or any other linseed, then the price of 1 sa’ of wheat or ½ sa’ of barley should be taken into consideration.
In terms of weight, one Sa’ is four pounds, six and a half ounces (4lb 6.5 oz) and half a Sa’ is two pounds, three and a quarter ounces (2lb 3.25 oz).
It is Mustahab (act of great reward) to give the Sadaqa-e-Fitr on the morning of Eid day (after the beginning time for Fajr), before going to the Eidgah to perform the Eid prayer. [Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri – Vol. 1, Page 180]
It is permissible to give Sadaqa-e-Fitr prior to the month of Ramadan or in Ramadan before the day of Eid. [Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri – Vol. 1 Page 179 and al-Durr al-Mukhtar]