Repaying Debt in Islam: An Obligation and a Moral Responsibility

Debt is a significant financial responsibility in every society, and Islam places immense emphasis on its repayment. Repaying debt in Islam is not just a financial duty but a moral and religious obligation. Islam encourages lending to those in need, but it also warns against negligence in repaying borrowed money. The Quran and Hadith provide clear guidance on loans, borrowing, and debt repayment, ensuring fairness and accountability in financial dealings.

In this article, we will explore the importance of repaying debt in Islam, its consequences if ignored, and the ethical approach towards borrowing and lending.

---

The Importance of Repaying Debt in Islam

Islam considers debt a serious commitment that must be honoured. Borrowing should only be done when necessary, and repaying it should be a priority. The Quran states:

“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:58)

A debt is a trust given by the lender, and the borrower must return it as soon as possible. Islam teaches that fulfilling obligations, including repaying debts, is part of faith and good character.

---

Helping Debtors Through Zakat and During Ramadan

Islam provides ways to assist those struggling with debt, including helping them through Zakat (charity). One of the eight categories eligible to receive Zakat is Al-Gharimin (those in debt):

“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect it, to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (to Islam), to free captives, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveller.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60)

This means that Muslims can use their Zakat to help clear the debts of genuinely struggling individuals. Additionally, Ramadan is a special time when acts of charity hold greater rewards. Helping debtors during Ramadan, whether by providing financial aid or forgiving loans, is a noble deed that earns immense blessings from Allah.

---

Hadiths on Repaying Debt

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) repeatedly stressed the importance of clearing debts before death. He warned that an individual who dies with unpaid debt may face consequences in the Hereafter. One narration states:

“The soul of a believer is held back until his debt is paid on his behalf.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1078)

This Hadith highlights that even if a person is righteous, their soul may not attain complete peace if they leave unpaid debts. The Prophet (PBUH) also made it clear that unpaid debts could affect one’s final standing before Allah:

“Whoever takes people’s wealth with the intention of repaying it, Allah will help him repay it. And whoever takes it to waste it, Allah will destroy him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2387)

Thus, borrowing with sincere intentions and making efforts to repay is not only financially wise but also spiritually beneficial.

---

The Consequences of Not Repaying Debt

Failure to repay debts has serious consequences, both in this world and the Hereafter. Islam strongly discourages taking a loan without the intent of returning it. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned:

"The martyr is forgiven for everything except debt." (Sahih Muslim 1885)

This Hadith demonstrates that even someone who sacrifices their life for Islam may not be forgiven if they have unpaid debts. Furthermore, social consequences include loss of trust, strained relationships, and legal repercussions.

---

The Ethical Approach to Borrowing and Lending in Islam

To maintain financial justice and social harmony, Islam lays down guidelines for both borrowers and lenders:

For Borrowers:

1. Borrow only when necessary – Islam discourages unnecessary debt unless it is for essential needs.

2. Intend to repay – The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized that one should borrow with a sincere intention to return the amount.

3. Document the loan – The Quran instructs Muslims to write down financial transactions to prevent disputes:

   “O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:282)

4. Inform heirs about outstanding debts – If a person passes away, their family should be aware of their financial obligations.

5. Avoid unnecessary loans – Islam discourages borrowing for luxurious or non-essential purposes.

For Lenders:

1. Be compassionate – Islam encourages kindness and flexibility in dealing with borrowers.

2. Avoid interest (Riba) – Charging interest on loans is strictly prohibited in Islam:

   "Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:275)

3. Give time for repayment if needed – If a debtor is struggling, Islam advises patience and even forgiving the debt as a charitable act:

   "And if someone is in hardship, then let there be postponement until a time of ease. But if you give it as charity, it is better for you, if you only knew." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:280)

4. Encourage responsible borrowing – Lenders should ensure that borrowers understand their obligations and do not fall into cycles of unnecessary debt.

---

Practical Steps to Ensure Debt Repayment

If one has taken a loan, they should prioritize repaying it by:

1. Budgeting wisely – Allocate a portion of earnings for repaying loans.

2. Avoiding wasteful spending – Extravagance can delay debt repayment.

3. Seeking financial help from family or friends – If struggling, discuss options for assistance.

4. Making dua (prayer) for debt relief – The Prophet (PBUH) taught a dua for those in debt:

   “O Allah, suffice me with what You have allowed instead of what You have forbidden, and make me independent of all others besides You.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3563)

5. Setting up a will – Ensure that debts are cleared if anything happens unexpectedly.

---

The Reward for Helping Others Pay Off Debt

Islam highly rewards those who help others in financial distress. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of this world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih Muslim 2699)

This Hadith encourages acts of kindness such as forgiving debts, granting extensions, or providing financial assistance to those in need.

Repaying debt in Islam is a serious obligation that carries both worldly and spiritual consequences. The Quran and Hadiths emphasize that debt should be taken only when necessary, and borrowers must have a clear intention to repay. Failure to do so can result in divine accountability, while fulfilling obligations leads to blessings and peace in life.

As Muslims, it is our duty to be honest in financial dealings, whether as borrowers or lenders. By following Islamic principles, we can build a responsible financial system based on trust, ethics, and social welfare.

May Allah guide us in handling our financial responsibilities wisely and grant relief to those struggling with debt. Ameen.

Continue Reading

Zakat Explained With Simple Calculations | Zakat Vs Income Tax

 All you need to know about Zakat, Sadaka and Fitra

Zakat is Farz (Compulsory) on all muslims who is Maal e Nisaab and has Seven and a Half Tola (7 1/2) of Gold or Fifty Two and a Half Tola (52.5) of Silver or equivalent amount. 

It is one fortieth i.e. 2.5% of the Gold, Silver or Cash, Fix Deposit, Shares, Provident Fund or Property / Business.

The one who rejects it is a Infidel (Kaafir) those who do not give Zakat are wrongdoers and worthy of punishment. 

According to Shariat, Zakat is defined as from your goods to take one part for Allah which has been fixed by Shariat and to make a Muslim poor person the owner of it.

Conditions when Zakat would become necessary

1. To be a Muslim 

2. To be an adult 

3. To be sane 

4. To be free (i.e. not a slave) 

5. To be the owner of goods above Nisaab (threshold-where Zakat would become necessary)

6. To be a complete owner of the goods 

7. To be free from any sort of loan 

8. To be free from any goods which are regarded as basic necessities of living 

9. The good have a value which will increase 

10. For a year to pass 

How much Zakat should be given ?

When you have enough gold or silver that goes above the Nisaab then one fortieth is given, i.e. 2.5%. Whether it be in it's original form or in the form of coins or something has been made out of it (such as jewellery, utensils, watch etc.) then Zakat is necessary on it. For example if you have 88 grammes of gold then 2.25 grammes of Zakat is necessary or if you have 620 grammes of silver then 15.75 grammes of silver is necessary for Zakat [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar e Shariat]

Who can accept Zakat or Given Zakat: 

1. Faqir - poor person 

2. Misqueen - Beggar 3 Aamil (Designated Person) 

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 

It is better when giving Zakat, Sadaqa etc. that it should be given to your own brothers and sisters, then to their children, then to your paternal uncles and aunts and then to their children, then to your maternal uncles and aunts and then to their children and then to people living in your home village or town [Johra, Alamgiri etc.]. It is quoted in the Hadith Sharif that Allah Ta'ala does not accept those people's Sadaqat whose relatives are in need of it and they give the money to others [Radd-ul-Mohtar].

Zakat Vs Income Tax

Interesting Point to Note:

> We pay tax in the name of VAT, Sales tax,  Commercial tax, central tax, Luxury tax, etc in our daily life expenditure .......

> Later in the year end we pay income tax on all our expenditure for which we paid the VAT, Sales tax,  Commercial tax, central tax, Luxury tax....


This means
→income tax on VAT,
→Income tax on sales tax,
→Income tax on commercial tax..
etc.,

SADAQA AND 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-AsaakarJ.

Sadqah is wajib on a person who is maal-E-Nisaab and must give Sadqa-e-Fitr for himself and for his children, as long as the children are not the owner of Nisaab themselves and if they are then the Sadqa for them will have to be given from their goods. It is Wajib to give Sadqa of a mental child even when they reach adulthood upon the father as long as the child is not the owner of Nisaab themselves, and if they are the owner of Nisaab then the Sadqa will be given from their goods [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].

Quantity of Sadqa-e-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]. 

What is weight of a Sa 'a 

After great study and analysis it is suggested that the price at present (however, this can increase) two pounds and fifty pence (£2.50) The price of half a Sa'a is one pound and twenty five pence (£1.25). One Sa'a is four pounds and six and a half ounces (4lb, 6.5ozl and half a Sa'a is two pounds and three and a quarter ounces (2lb 3 25 ozi For the sake of ease it is better to give four and a half pounds of (4 5lb) barley or dates or two and a quarter pounds (2.25lb) of wheat for each person as Sadqa-e-Fitr. 

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]. 

Important Points on Sadaqa-e-Fitr:

1. 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] 

2. 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).

3. 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]

4. 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]

5. 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.

6. 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).

7. 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]

8. 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]

Hadiths on Sadaqa-e-Fitr:

I. Hadrat ibn 'Umar said, “The Prophet made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, young or old, the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. The Messenger of Allah commanded that this sadaqah be paid before one goes to perform the Eid prayer.” [Sahih Bukhari - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 204]

II. Hadrat Hasan said: Hadrat Ibn Abbas preached the people towards the end of Ramadan, standing on the pulpit (in the masjid) of al-Basrah. He said: “Bring forth the sadaqah relating to your fast.” The people, as it were, could not understand. “Which of the people of Medina are present here? Stand for your brethren, and teach them, for they do not know” said Hadrat ibn ‘Abbas. He further added: “The Messenger of Allah prescribed this sadaqah as one sa' of dried dates or barley, or half a sa' of wheat payable by every freeman or slave, male or female, young or old.” When Hadrat Ali came (to Basrah), he found that the price had come down. He said: “Allah has given prosperity to you, so give one sa' of everything (as sadaqah).” [Sunan Abi Dawood - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, page 229]

III. Hadrat ‘Abdullah ibn Tha’laba or Tha’laba ibn ‘Abdullah (narrator cannot recall exactly what the name was) ibn Abu Saghir, who narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah said, “One sa' of wheat is enough from every two; young or old; freeman or slave; male or female. Those of you who are rich will be purified by Allah, and those of you who are poor will have more than they gave returned by Him to them.” [Sunan Abi Dawood - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 228]

IV. Hadrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah prescribed Sadqatul Fitr, so that the fasts (kept throughout the month of Ramadan) may be purified from any falsehood, wrongdoing or evil talk, and (at the same time) it shall assist to feed the poor and the needy. [Sunan Abi Dawood - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 227]

V. Hadrat ‘Amr ibn Shu’aib reports from his father, who reports from his grandfather that the Holy Prophet sent a person that he calls out loud in the streets of Makkah al-Mukarramah that Sadaqat ul Fitr is Wajib (necessary) upon every muslim male or female; freeman or a slave; young or old. [Sunan Tirmidhi - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 146]

WHAT DOES QURAN SAY ABOUT ZAKAT: 

Give the news of bitter very torment to those who save their property and money, and do not give their Zakaat to the poor amongst Muslims (9:34)


HADITH SHARIF: “Protect your property against harm by paying Zakaat.”

Read more Articles on Zakat

• What is Zakat, Sadaka and Fitra
• Charity in Islam - Hadees on Islamic Charity
• Common Misconceptions about Zakat
• What is Charity (Zakat) In Islam
• SIN OF ONE WHO DOES NOT PAY ZAKAT

Continue Reading

Question Answers on Zakat-ul-Fitr | FAQs of Zakat

Question Answers on Zakat-ul-Fitr | FAQs of Zakat

Who must pay zakat ul Fitr? What is #Zakat-ul-Fitr and Whom to Pay Zakat? How much Zakat to pay? What is Zakat? When to pay Zakat?

#Zakat-al-Fitra FAQs

Q: What is Zakat al-Fitrah?
A: It is religious tax/alms (zakat) paid on the day when Muslims break the fasting period at the end of the month of Ramadan. This tax/alms is known as Zakat al-Fitrah.

Q: When does Fitrah become wajib (obligatory)?
A: Payment of Fitrah becomes obligatory after sunset on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. The Fitrah should be kept aside and paid on Eid al-Fitr before Eid prayers or before midday for those who cannot say their Eid prayers. It is necessary to have obligatory intention (Niyyat) of giving Fitrah for God’s pleasure only.

Q: Whom should we give the Fitrah to?
A: It is given to the needy who are unable to meet their own or their dependants annual living expenses, nor do they have the means to do so through earning.

Q: Who should not be given the Fitrah?
A: A needy who: consumes alcohol, does not say his daily prayers (Salat), commits sins openly, or he who is known to use the Fitrah in sinful way.

Q: Are there any additional rules that we need to be aware of?
A: Following are some important rules:

(i) Fitrah should not be sent outside the town one resides in, if there are deserving Mumineen in that town.

(ii) Fitrah from a non-Sayyid cannot be given to a needy Sayyid; the reverse is permissible.

(iii) A needy should be given at least one Fitrah

(iv) Amongst the needy, relatives should be preferred over others when giving Fitrah, next in line are neighbors and then the learned.

Also Read

What is Zakat, Sadaqa and Fitra?

Comparison of Zakat and Income tax

Question Answers on #Zakat-ul-Fitr. FAQs of Zakat

Information on Zakat - Punishments for not paying Zakat

Kaffara (Penalty) for not fasting Ramadan

Zakat-al-Fitra Question Answers

Common Misconceptions about Zakaah

Continue Reading

Comparison of Zakat and Income tax

WHAT DOES QURAN SAY ABOUT ZAKAT: 

Give the news of bitter very torment to those who save their property and money, and do not give their Zakaat to the poor amongst Muslims (9:34)


HADITH SHARIF: “Protect your property against harm by paying Zakaat.”

★ Zakaat is paid on total saving.
IT is paid on annual income + total saving (except savings under section 80(c))

★ No Zakaat is paid on daily, monthly, yearly expenses.
IT is paid on daily, monthly, yearly expenses as state tax, sales tax, central tax, VAT etc

★ Zakaat is paid on Rs 30,000 or more if saved from an year.
IT is paid on total income should be paid even if there’s no savings or balance is zero or negative

★ Zakaat is one fortieth (1:40) of total savings.
Whereas IT is 10% up to 5 lakhs & 20% up to 10 lakhs. (Leaving standard deduction 2, 00,000)

For a savings of Rs 3 lakhs Zakaat is 7,500.
But IT for 3 lakhs is 30,000

★ Zakaat is not applicable on a person whose debt is more than savings but ther’s no excuse for for IT

★ Zakaat is paid on Lands that are used for business purpose.
Whereas no IT for real estate owners who own land valuing millions of rupees.

Interesting Point to Note:

> We pay tax in the name of VAT, Sales tax,  Commercial tax, central tax, Luxury tax, etc in our daily life expenditure .......

> Later in the year end we pay income tax on all our expenditure for which we paid the VAT, Sales tax,  Commercial tax, central tax, Luxury tax....


This means
→income tax on VAT,
→Income tax on sales tax,
→Income tax on commercial tax..
etc.,

Zakat Infographic

Read more Articles on Zakat

• What is Zakat, Sadaka and Fitra
• Charity in Islam - Hadees on Islamic Charity
• Common Misconceptions about Zakat
• What is Charity (Zakat) In Islam
• SIN OF ONE WHO DOES NOT PAY ZAKAT

Continue Reading

What is Zakat, Sadaka and Fitra

What is Zakat, Sadaka and Fitra

What is #Zakat, #Sadaka and #Fitra

Zakat is Farz (Compulsory) on all muslims who is Maal e Nisaab and has Seven and a Half Tola (7 1/2) of  Gold or Fifty Two and a Half Tola (52.5) of Silver. The one who rejects it is a Infidel (Kaafir) those who do not give Zakat are wrongdoers and worthy of punishment. According to Shariat, Zakat is defined as from your goods to take one part for Allah which has been fixed by Shariat and to make a Muslim poor person the owner of it.

Conditions when Zakat would become necessary

1. To be a Muslim 

2. To be an adult 

3. To be sane 

4. To be free (i.e. not a slave) 

5. To be the owner of goods above Nisaab (threshold-where Zakat would become necessary)

6. To be a complete owner of the goods 

7. To be free from any sort of loan 

8. To be free from any goods which are regarded as basic necessities of living 

9. The good have a value which will increase 

10. For a year to pass 

How much Zakat should be given ?

When you have enough gold or silver that goes above the Nisaab then one fortieth is given, i.e. 2.5%. Whether it be in it's original form or in the form of coins or something has been made out of it (such as jewellery, utensils, watch etc.) then Zakat is necessary on it. For example if you have 88 grammes of gold then 2.25 grammes of Zakat is necessary or if you have 620 grammes of silver then 15.75 grammes of silver is necessary for Zakat [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar e Shariat]

Who can accept Zakat or Given Zakat: 

1. Faqir - poor person 

2. Misqueen - Beggar 3 Aamil (Designated Person) 

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 

It is better when giving Zakat, Sadaqa etc. that it should be given to your own brothers and sisters, then to their children, then to your paternal uncles and aunts and then to their children, then to your maternal uncles and aunts and then to their children and then to people living in your home village or town [Johra, Alamgiri etc.]. It is quoted in the Hadith Sharif that Allah Ta'ala does not accept those people's Sadaqat whose relatives are in need of it and they give the money to others [Radd-ul-Mohtar].

SADAQA AND 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-AsaakarJ.

Sadqah is wajib on a person who is maal-E-Nisaab and must give Sadqa-e-Fitr for himself and for his children, as long as the children are not the owner of Nisaab themselves and if they are then the Sadqa for them will have to be given from their goods. It is Wajib to give Sadqa of a mental child even when they reach adulthood upon the father as long as the child is not the owner of Nisaab themselves, and if they are the owner of Nisaab then the Sadqa will be given from their goods [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].

Quantity of Sadqa-e-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]. 

What is weight of a Sa 'a 

After great study and analysis it is suggested that the price at present (however, this can increase) two pounds and fifty pence (£2.50) The price of half a Sa'a is one pound and twenty five pence (£1.25). One Sa'a is four pounds and six and a half ounces (4lb, 6.5ozl and half a Sa'a is two pounds and three and a quarter ounces (2lb 3 25 ozi For the sake of ease it is better to give four and a half pounds of (4 5lb) barley or dates or two and a quarter pounds (2.25lb) of wheat for each person as Sadqa-e-Fitr. 

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]. 

Important Points on Sadaqa-e-Fitr:

1. 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] 

2. 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).

3. 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]

4. 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]

5. 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.

6. 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).

7. 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]

8. 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]

Hadiths on Sadaqa-e-Fitr:

I. Hadrat ibn 'Umar said, “The Prophet made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, young or old, the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. The Messenger of Allah commanded that this sadaqah be paid before one goes to perform the Eid prayer.” [Sahih Bukhari - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 204]

II. Hadrat Hasan said: Hadrat Ibn Abbas preached the people towards the end of Ramadan, standing on the pulpit (in the masjid) of al-Basrah. He said: “Bring forth the sadaqah relating to your fast.” The people, as it were, could not understand. “Which of the people of Medina are present here? Stand for your brethren, and teach them, for they do not know” said Hadrat ibn ‘Abbas. He further added: “The Messenger of Allah prescribed this sadaqah as one sa' of dried dates or barley, or half a sa' of wheat payable by every freeman or slave, male or female, young or old.” When Hadrat Ali came (to Basrah), he found that the price had come down. He said: “Allah has given prosperity to you, so give one sa' of everything (as sadaqah).” [Sunan Abi Dawood - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, page 229]

III. Hadrat ‘Abdullah ibn Tha’laba or Tha’laba ibn ‘Abdullah (narrator cannot recall exactly what the name was) ibn Abu Saghir, who narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah said, “One sa' of wheat is enough from every two; young or old; freeman or slave; male or female. Those of you who are rich will be purified by Allah, and those of you who are poor will have more than they gave returned by Him to them.” [Sunan Abi Dawood - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 228]

IV. Hadrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah prescribed Sadqatul Fitr, so that the fasts (kept throughout the month of Ramadan) may be purified from any falsehood, wrongdoing or evil talk, and (at the same time) it shall assist to feed the poor and the needy. [Sunan Abi Dawood - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 227]

V. Hadrat ‘Amr ibn Shu’aib reports from his father, who reports from his grandfather that the Holy Prophet sent a person that he calls out loud in the streets of Makkah al-Mukarramah that Sadaqat ul Fitr is Wajib (necessary) upon every muslim male or female; freeman or a slave; young or old. [Sunan Tirmidhi - Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 146]

Continue Reading