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Sadaqatul-Fitr Explained
Sadaqat-ul-fitr is an obligation for every Muslim, male or
female, who owns 613.35 grams of silver or its equivalent, either in the form of
money, ornaments, stock-in-trade, or in the form of some goods or commodities
beyond one's normal needs. Every person who owns such an amount has to pay
Sadaqat-ul-fitr, not only on behalf of himself but also on behalf of his minor
children. The prescribed amount of Sadaqat-ul-fitr is 1.75 Kilograms of wheat or
its value in money. This amount is prescribed for paying Sadaqat-ul-fitr for one
person only. If a person has some minor children, the same amount has to be paid
on behalf of each one of them separately. The following points must be
remembered concerning the payment of Sadaqat-ul-fitr.
1. Sadaqat-ul-fitr
is obligated on each adult male or female separately, and the relevant adult
person himself is responsible to pay it. The husband is not required to pay
Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of his wife nor is the wife supposed to pay it on
behalf of her husband. Similarly, a father is not bound to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr
on behalf of his adult children or vice-versa. However, if the head of the
family, by his own free will, wishes to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr for each one of the
members of his family, he should seek their authorization for that purpose. In
this case the Sadaqat-ul-fitr paid by him will be valid on their behalf. If he
did not pay the Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of any of the members of his family,
he will not be responsible for it. Rather, it is the duty of every adult member
of the family to discharge his own obligation or to request the head of the
family to pay it on his or her behalf.
2. It is a Sunnah that the
Sadaqat-ul-fitr is paid before performing the 'Eid prayer. It can also be paid
before the 'Eid day, but it is not advisable to delay it up to the performance
of'Eid prayer. However, if a person has failed to pay on its proper time, he
should pay it as soon as possible, whereby the obligation will stand
discharged.
3. The Sadaqat-ul-fitr is not necessary on behalf of a child
who was born after the break of dawn in the 'Eid day, nor is it necessary to pay
Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of a person who dies before the dawn of the Eid
day.
4. Sadaqat-ul-fitr should be paid only to a person who is entitled
to receive Zakah.
by Mufti taqi uthmani
ds.
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