Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

The month of Ramadan is a month full of endless mercy, blessings, goodness and well-being. Paying Sadaqat al-Fitr is one of the acts by which a servant is blessed with nearness to Allah in the month of Ramadan.

Fitra or Fetra is an Arabic word, which in Islam is known as Zakat al-Fitr (Zakat al-Fitr) or Sadaqat al-Fitr (Charity of Fitr). Fitr or Fatur refers to the morning meal with which the fasting person breaks his fast.

Sadaqatul Fitr is an important act of worship in the holy month of Ramadan. The center of this charity is the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. In simple words, it is called 'Sadakatul Fitr' because it is associated with the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. Verse 13 of Surah A'ala says "He who has achieved success has purified himself." Hazrat Qatadah (RA)He expressed the opinion that the word 'Tazhakka' i.e. 'to be purified' in this verse refers to 'Sadaqaye Fitr'. Because it has been mentioned in the Hadith Sharif, "Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam made Sadaqatul Fitr obligatory." So that all the errors of the fasting of the fasting people can be purified and the poor people can get food' (Mishkat page 160). Al-Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr is the prescribed alms that must be paid before the Eid prayer.

It is also called Zakatul Fitr. In our region it is known as 'Fitra'. Sadaqaye Fitr is a Sadaqa that becomes obligatory after the end of Ramadan. There is a hadith about Sadaqat al-Fitr, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "You should pay between two people one sa' of wheat or one sa' of dates or one sa' of barley.

This provision is obligatory on every slave, free, small and big person(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No: 23663) Hazrat Rasool Kareem (PBUH) emphasized on its observance and taught its principles. That is why, from the holy era of Hazrat Rasoolullah (SAW) till today, the Muslim Ummah has been regularly paying Sadaqatul Fitr like other basic acts and acts of worship in Islam. On the morning of Eid, whoever owns nisab amount of wealth (seven and a half gold or fifty-two and a half silver or equivalent trade goods), it is wajib on him to pay Fitrah on behalf of himself and his family, young and old.

History of Determination of Fitrah:-

Islam is a humanistic religionTeaches harmony and compassion. This Sadaqatul Fitra has been fixed so that both the rich and the poor can enjoy the Eid festival equally.

Fitra is basically the zakat of fasting. Just as Zakat sanctifies wealth, so does Fitrah sanctify fasting.
In this context, Ibn Abbas (RA) said, the Prophet (PBUH)Sadaqah al-Fitr prescribes fasting to purify one from idle talk and obscenity and to give food to the mouth of the poor. (Source: Meshkat: Abu Dawud)

Waki Ibnul Jarrah said, Sajda Sahu is like a compensation for prayer, so is Sadaqatul Fitr a compensation for fasting.
According to Islamic Shariah - Fitra can be paid through any one of the products like flour, barley, raisins, dates and cheese. 1445 Hijri 21 March 2024 It was decided in the meeting.

This year, the rate of Fitra in Bangladesh has been fixed at a minimum of 115 taka and a maximum of 2 thousand 970 taka per person. Last year (2023) the maximum fitra was 2 thousand 640 taka, but the minimum fitra was 115 taka.

These Fitras are fixed on the basis of the market price of flour, barley, dates, raisins and cheese collected from all parts of the country. Muslims can collect Sadaqatul Fitr from any of the above products or its market value according to their ability.

Below are mentioned 10 Masayala of Sadaqatul Fitr:

1. The Nisab of Fitr in charity is equal to the Nisab of Zakat. That is, if someone has seven and a half loads of gold or fifty two and a half loads of silver or its equivalent in cash or extra wealth of daily necessities on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr at the time of Sadiq, Sadaqat-ul-Fitr will be wajib on him. (Fathul Qadir 2/281)
2. The method of paying Fitr in charity is: If it is paid with wheat or flour, half a Sa' means two quarters and two sers. And if you want to pay with dates, barley or raisins, you have to pay a little more than a full one sa' i.e. three and a half sers or you have to pay the price. (Ruddul Muhtar 3/322)
3. If the value increases on the day of Eid after paying Fitr in charity, then the additional value must be paid. (Fatawa Mahmudiya 14/392)
4. On the morning of Eid-ul-Fitr, it is better to perform the Fitr or Fitra in charity before going to pray the Eid prayer. However, it can be performed before that time, i.e. in Ramadan. On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, it is mustahab to perform the Fitra before leaving for the Eidgah. However, even if it is paid later, it will be paid. (Fatawa Mahmudiya: 14/383)
5. The difference in price is not acceptable due to the difference in the place when collecting Fitr in charity. Instead, the price will be determined at the place where the charity is collected. (Fatawa Mahmudiya: 14/374)
6. In charity, it is wajib to pay the Fitr on behalf of oneself and if it is a father, it is wajib on behalf of his minor children. It is not wajib on behalf of minor children, wives, servants, parents. Yes, if the minor child is insane, it is wajib on his behalf. (Fatawa Mahmudiya 14/397)
7. Amount of Nichfe Sa': If Sadkay Fitr is paid with wheat then 'Nichfe Sa' of wheat is to be given per person. And the quantity of sa' is 60 tolas of one ser, which is 1 kg 663 grams according to English measurements. That is about two and a quarter kilograms. (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband 6/304)
8. If a married younger girl is wealthy herself, Sadaqah Fitr will be collected from her wealth. And if he is not wealthy, then if the son does not take the side, it will be wajib on his father. And if it is removed, it will not be wajib on anyone. (Fatawa Alamgiri, 1/182)
9. Even on the last day of Ramadan, a new born child or a person who has accepted Islam must also pay Sadaqatul Fitr on his behalf. (Fatawa Alamgiri, 1/192)
10. If someone dies without paying Fatra, it will be paid even if his heir pays Fatra on his behalf. (Ruddul Muhtar, 2/106)

There is a great purpose behind every law of Islam. In the same way, both worldly and heavenly benefits are included in the performance of Sadaqatul Fitr. It is like a modern-day refining machine. through which the product is purified. May Allah the Exalted grant the Muslim Ummah the Tawfeek to observe the fast of Ramadan and to all the wealthy people to pay Fitra or Sadaqatul Fitr according to their status. Give tawfiq to be freed from the mistakes of fasting by performing Fitrah. Amen.

The writer is a, columnist and Islamic researcher