The New Nation - Internet Edition

Fitra was introduced as a compulsory charity two days before Eid-ul-Fitr, in the second Hijri.

Hazrat Ibne Sad (Ra) said, "Rasulullah (Sm) directed us to pay Fitra before Zakat was commended to be obligatory. After that, Zakat was ordained as Farz (obligatory)," (Musnade Ahmad, Sunane Nasayee, Sunane Ibne Mazah and Mustadrake Hakim). It is also a kind of Zakat. It is obligatory on every person, who is 'Saheb-e-Nisab.' The low-income people, who are not so solvent, should also pay this minor compulsory charity. According to 'Hidaya', the person who has more than the capacity of managing foods for him and his family for the Eid day, should have to pay Fitra. Rasulullah (Sm) directed about Fitra in these words "Pay. So, it may be taken as Wajib (next to Farz-obligation). According to Imam Abu Hanifa it is 'Wajib.' while Imam Shafi (R) and Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal (R) took it as 'Farz' and Imam Malik (R) as 'Sunnate Muakkadah' (next to Wajib). Rasulullah (Sm) said, "Allah will make him pure through his Fitra, who is wealthy among you and whoever has given something to a poor and destitute. Allah will give him more in return."

The needy, poor people, who are entitled to receive Zakat, are also entitled to Fitra. Fitra should not be paid to the nearest ones.

''Fitra of a person, given before the Eid prayer, will be accepted by Allah, as 'Sadaquatul Wajib' (due), and the person who will give it after the Eid prayer, it will be taken as his general charity. " (Abu Daud and Ibne Maza). This Hadith speaks of the social significance and aim of 'Sadaqatul Fitr.' It is a help through which Allah wants the participation of the insolvent persons in the celebration of Holy Eid festival.

According to injunctions of Shariah, minimum 1.34 kg wheat or price equal to it, should be given to the poor and miskin. But, the persons, who are economically more solvent, can give the Fitra more.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury