Simple Islam Present
Zakat al-Fitr is a kind of charity (sadaqah) that is obligatory at the time of breaking the fast of Ramadan. The word zakah is connected by idaafah (genitive structure in Arabic grammar) to fitr because the occasion of breaking the fast is the reason why this zakah becomes obligatory.
Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of charity (sadaqah).” [Abu Dawood, 1371]
Wakee’ ibn al-Jarraah said: “Zakat al-Fitr for the month of Ramadan is like two sajdahs of sahw for the prayer. It makes up for any shortcomings in the fast as the prostrations make up for any shortcomings in the prayer.” (Al-Nawawi, al-Majmoo’, part 6).
The correct view is that it is fard (obligatory), because Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory,” and because of the consensus of the scholars (ijmaa’) that it is fard. (Al-Mughni, part 2, Baab Sadaqat al-Fitr)
Zakat al-fitr becomes obligatory when the sun sets on the last day of Ramadan. Anyone who gets married, has a baby born to him or becomes Muslim before the sun sets on that day, has to give Zakat al-Fitr [on behalf of himself and/or his new wife or new baby], but if that happens after sunset, he does not have to give it… Whoever dies after sunset on the night of fitr, sadaqat al-fitr must be given on his behalf. This is what Ahmad stated.” (Al-Mughni, part 2, Fasl Waqt Wujoob Zakat al-Fitr).
‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez and Abu’l-‘Aaliyah said: “He [the Prophet (ﷺ)] paid Zakat al-Fitr then he went out for the prayer – i.e., Salaat al-‘Eid.” (Al-Jassaas, Ahkaam al-Qur’aan, part 3, Soorat al-A’laa)
There is nothing wrong with giving it one or two days before the ‘Eid. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to give it one or two days before ‘Eid.
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on Muslims. Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made Zakat al-Fitr, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407)
In modern weights, this is equivalent to approximately 3 kilograms
It is obligatory on those who are able to pay it.
The poor,needy of the community in which one resides or other community outside one's residence if no more needy ones are around
What should be given is food for human consumption, such as dates, wheat, rice or other kinds of food that humans eat.
It is not permissible to pay the value in money , according to the majority of scholars; this view has the stronger evidence. Rather it must be given in the form of food, as the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions did.
