According to
the Shariah, Fitra becomes incumbent when the new moon of Shawwal is
sighted. This is known as Zakat of Fitra, which is Wajib on every
Baligh person. If you have a guest with you, who has arrived at your
house before sunset on the eve of Eid ul Fitr, then his/her Fitra is
Wajib upon you.
As per laws
of Ayatollah Seestani's 'Islamic Laws': "At the time of sunset on Eid ul
fitr, whoever is adult and sane and is neither unconscious, nor poor,
nor the slave of another, he should give, on his own behalf as well as
on behalf of all those who are his dependents, about three kilos per
head of wheat or barley or dates or raisins or rice or millet etc. It is
also sufficient if he pays the price of one of these items in cash."
Therefore, in principle the fitra is on staple food which comes to approximately $10.00 on Basmati rice and $18.00 for dates
Since FITRA
becomes wajib when the new moon of SHAWWAL is sighted, Shariah does not
recommend advance payment to the Mustahiqqeen. But if you think a
particular deserving person or family may benefit better if payment is
made to them earlier than Eid-ul-Fitr, you can give away your sum as a
loan and then you will make the NIYYAT for that sum being a FITRA, upon
the sighting of the new moon.
What is "Fitra"?
Fitra is a
gift of food or money that each baligh individual pays on the day of
Eid-ul-Fitr, that is, on seeing the new moon of the month of Shawwal.
This is a "zakat" or charitable tax.
When should it be paid?
Fitra is only
obligatory when the new moon is seen, but, if you think a particular
deserving person or family may benefit better if payment is made to them
earlier than Eid-ul-Fitr, you can give away your sum as a loan and you
make the niyyah (intention) that the sum is your fitra when the new
moon is seen.
Who needs to pay it?
It is wajib
(obligatory) for every baligh person (one who has reached maturity) to
pay fitra. If you have a guest with you, who has arrived at your house
before sunset on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, then it is obligatory for you
to pay their fitra also.
Who will receive the fitra?
If there are
those deserving of fitra in your own country, then your fitra should be
given locally. Otherwise, see the advice below on whom to give fitra
to.
Advice on giving fitra, particularly to local Jamaats:
1. If you
come to know of a deserving person or family in your city or country
of residence, you will please consider it as a priority case.
2. According to Ayatollah Sheestani the deserving recipient of fitra must be a mumin, Shia Ithna-asheri
3. If a
non-Sayyid gives fitra, this can only be given to a non-Sayyid. However
the fitra given by a Sayyid can be given to a Sayyid.
Thursday, 8 August 2013
WHAT IS FITRA - FIDYA AND THE RATES ?
Fitra is payable by the head of the family on behalf of each family member under his/her care. It may include a spouse or children who are already able to support themselves and should include elderly parents living with the family. Fitra is the annual compulsory charity that every Muslim pays to ensure that all Muslims are able to enjoy the day of Eid. According to the Shafi' mathhab, it is equal to approximately 2,5kg of the staple food of the country such as wheat or rice, but in South Africa it has been converted to cash.
Fidya is the daily amount payable by those who are unable to fast provided they have a valid reason not to fast.
Zakat-ul-Fitar Fitrah or Fitrana
What is ‘Zakat ul Fitr’ or ‘Fitrana’?
Zakat ul Fitr is a one off payment that is made once in every Muslim Hijri calendar year at any time between the first day of the month of Ramadhan and the first day of Shawwal. It is advisable to pay Fitrah or Fitrana well before Eid Day so that the person receiving it can buy food or clothes or other items of necessity and join other Muslims in the celebration of Eid ul Fitr. All Muslims are obliged to pay this, regardless of their age, status or wealth. The amount of Zakat payable is approximately 3kg of staple food in the relevant country or an amount of money that is equivalent to the price of the food.What is the price for Fitrana this year in UK?
The monetary equivalent of this amount to be given in Fitrana is £4.00 /person this year.Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described its virtue as “Allah the majestic and Exalted said: every deed of man will receive 10 to 700 times reward, except fasting, it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). Three are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord.”(Muslim).
What is Eid?
Eid-al-Fitr
The first Eid of the year is known as Eid Al-Fitr. It marks the end of the month of Ramadan, which is the month in which Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset.The entire community comes together for special prayers and to congratulate each other. The rest of the day is typically spent visiting friends and family, enjoying time together.Eid-al-Adha
The second and final Eid celebration of the year is called Eid Al-Adha. It commemorates the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage. Although only pilgrims in Mecca participate in the Hajj fully, Muslims around the world join them in celebrating Eid Al-Adha.How is Eid al-Fitr Celebrated?/ Why Muslims celeberate Eid and How?
Question: How is Eid al-Fitr Celebrated?
During the month of Ramadan,
Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such
as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual
renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims
throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking).
Answer: Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal,
the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time
to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and
friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim
family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This
donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to
ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the
celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.
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