What is zakat ul fitr, and do I need to pay for it?

[Aaqib]

please answer

[Hamza Asadullah]

please answer

:sl:

I found a very easy to understand summary of Zakatul Fitr for you:

WHAT IS SADAQA AL-FITR?

Sadaqa Al-Fitr (also known as Zakatul-Fitr) is a small amount of food to be given in charity at the end of Ramadan, before the holiday (Eid) prayers. This charitable contribution is separate from the annual payment of Zakat, which is one of the pillars of Islam. Unlike Zakat, which is calculated annually as a percentage of extra wealth, the Sadaqa Al-Fitr is to be paid equally by every Muslim man, woman and child at the end of Ramadan.​


THE SADAQA AL-FITR TRADITION

According to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), each person should give away in charity an amount equivalent to one sa'a of grain. A sa'a is an ancient measure of volume, and various scholars have struggled to interpret this amount in modern measurements. The most common understanding is that one sa'a is equivalent to 2.5 kilograms (5 pounds) of wheat. Rather than wheat grain, each individual Muslim--man or woman, adult or child, sick or healthy individual, old or young family member--is asked to give away this amount in a non-perishable food staple, which may be a food other than wheat. The senior member of the household is responsible for paying the amount on behalf of the family. So in family of four individuals (2 adults + 2 children of any age) the head of the household should purchase and give away 10 kilograms, or 20 pounds, of food.

It is recommended that the Sadaqa Al-Fitr be given as an amount of non-perishable staple food, not cash.

The purpose of this charitable donation is to ensure that all members of the community have food to eat after Ramadan and during the Eid holiday. The recommended foods may vary according to local diet, but traditionally include:

Flour/Wheat
Rice
Barley
Corn
Dates
Raisins

Some scholars advise that donations of cash are permissible if one is living in an area where food is readily available for purchase.

However, most scholars agree that giving food products is preferable.

Source:https://www.thoughtco.com/how-much-i...l-fitr-2004612


In USA it is $10 per person which you must pay before Eid prayer.

You can give to any good reliable online Islamic charity in the US.

And Allah knows best in all matters

[shafat10]

Zakatul Fitr is the Sadaqah (charity) that is given due to breaking the fast after 1 month's time, hence the word "Fitr". It is usually called Fitra in some places, though it might not be correct word for it.
It is obligatory upon all Muslims, male or female, free or slave, young or adult, everyone should give it. Some of the Salaf have given it on behalf of the womb too.
What should be given as Charity, the Prophet said, "I have made the Zakatul Fitr obligatory upon all Muslims, i.e. 1 Saa of staple food on behalf of every person". 1 Saa here, the measurement differs, and depending on the product, it may change. So 1 Saa of Rice may not be equal to 1 Saa of Dates, for instance. But an approximate amount, as deduced by Sheikh Al Uthaymeen, he measured the Saa used by the Prophet, and said, it is "2 kg 40 grams", so you can give anything above 2 kg 40 grams, like 2 kg 200 grams or 2 and half kg, depending. What you will be giving is dependent on what staple food is eaten in your location, if it is Rice, then Rice, if Wheat, then Wheat or anything else, depending. Usually it is rice as most people use it these days. You can give many Sadaqah to 1 person, or you can divide 1 Sadaqah to many.
When to give it? As soon as the new moon is sighted until you go to the Eid prayer, it can be given. Please note, delaying it for after Eid prayer is not allowed and the Fitr will not be accepted if that is the case.
There are 2 reasons for this Sadaqah, one is that, the mistakes we had while we were fasting gets forgiven and washed away by this charity, and also the poor people who cannot afford food on this day, they at least do not have to beg people for food on this glorious day of Eid. Hence the case. Hope this gave you a basic idea of what it is.