Eid-ul-Fitr, A Day Of Joy In Islam That Promotes Brotherhood, Love, And Unity
By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam
10 April 2024
Eid al-Fitr and Sadaqah al-Fitr: Some Important
Issues
Main Points
1.
What is the meaning
of Eid al-Fitr?
2.
Why is Eid al-Fitr
regarded as a day of joy and happiness?
3.
When did Eid Salah
become obligatory?
4.
What is the virtue
of praying on the night preceding Eid ul-Fitr?
5.
What is Sadaqat
al-Fitr, or Fast-Breaking Charity?
6.
Why pay Sadaqah
al-Fitr?
7.
When should a Muslim
pay Sadaqah al-Fitr?
8.
Whom to Pay Sadaqah
al-Fitr?
9.
What is the purpose
of Sadaqah al-Fitr?
10. An extremely crucial thing to remember about Sadaqah al-Fitr
------
What Is The Meaning Of Eid Al-Fitr?
The term "Eid," originating from Arabic,
signifies a feast, festivity, celebration, and recurring happy occasion. Fitr
means the conclusion of fasting. Eid al-Fitr is a yearly celebration
that brings renewed happiness at the end of Ramadan, symbolizing the end of the
fasting month. The celebration of Eid brings joy, social bonds, and compassion
among Muslims, demonstrating their unity through festive celebrations that ease
life's burdens.
Why Is Eid Al-Fitr Regarded As A Day Of Joy And
Happiness?
Eid al-Fitr is a conglomeration of numerous joys. One
is the pleasure of observing a fast throughout Ramadan. The delight of standing
in prayer at night throughout Ramadan is the second. The revelation of the
Qur'an this month is the third source of happiness. The Night of Qadr is the
subject of the fourth joy. The fifth is the happiness that comes from fasting,
followed by divine mercy, forgiveness, and protection from the vengeance of
Hell. Subsequently, it is mandated to convey all these delights through
almsgiving, or Sadaqat al-Fitr, to establish a connection between prayer and
charity. For these reasons, Eid al-Fitr is referred to as a "day of
joy" for the believers.
When Did Eid Salah Become Obligatory?
It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: "The people
of the Jahiliyyah had two days each year when they would play. When the
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to Madinah, he said, ‘You had two
days when you would play, but Allah Almighty has given Muslims something
instead that is better than them: the day of Al-Fitr and the day of
Al-Adha’." [Sunan an-Nasai 1556 (Book 19, Hadith 1)]
The hadith of Anas bin Malik explains that the Prophet
Muhammad introduced Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, in
substitution of pre-Islamic days of play. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of
Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha commemorates Hadrat Abraham's sacrifice of his son
at God's command.
This is how the prayers for Eid al-Fitr and Eid
al-Adha started in Islam. Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, a famous historian, states
that the first Eid prayer led by the Messenger of Allah took place in the
second year of Hijra. [Taarikh al-Tabari]
What Is The Virtue Of Praying On The Night Preceding Eid
Al-Fitr?
Praying the night before Eid is far more virtue-filled than
worshipping during regular days. This night is called Laylat al-Jaiza,
or Night of Rewards. Laylat al-Jaiza is one of the five nights during
which prayers and supplications are not rejected.
The Messenger of Allah is reported to have said, “There are
five nights on which du’a is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the
fifteenth night of Sha’ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr,
and the night before Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha)’. [Mundhiri, al-Targhib wa
al-Tarhib, 1/182]
The Messenger of Allah used to spend this night in prayer
and supplication. He would read the Quran, offer up Nafil prayers—which
are optional—and ask God for forgiveness. He would also offer optional Tahajjud
prayers, which are best offered in the later hours of the night.
As Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, this is a
significant night when they can receive blessings and rewards from God. They
must maximise this night by performing acts of prayer and supplication. It is a
time for introspection, self-improvement, and asking God for forgiveness.
The following hadith also addresses the merits of praying on
this night:
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Umama that the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) said,
“Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the
two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other
hearts will die.” [Ibn Majah, Al-Sunan, Kitab al-Sayam, 2:377, Hadith 1782]
What is Sadaqat al-Fitr, or Fast-Breaking Charity?
Sadaqat or Sadaqah means charity, while Fitr means breaking
the fast. Hence, Sadaqat al-Fitr means charity for breaking the fast of
Ramadan. Zakat al-Fitr, or Zakat of Breaking the Fast, is another name for
this. This is sometimes referred to as the Alms of Human Nature or Zakat
al-Fitrah. This is also known as Fitrah.
Islam requires all eligible Muslims to do the great duty of
Sadaqah al-Fitr, or an act of charity that Allah loves, at the end of Ramadan.
The purpose of Sadaqah al-Fitr is to enable the poor to meet their needs and be
happy on the day of Eid. A Muslim can obtain acceptance from Allah for his
fast, atone for any transgressions committed during the fast, and be saved from
the torment of the grave and hellfire by paying Sadaqah al-Fitr.
Why Pay Sadaqah al-Fitr?
Sadaqah al-Fitr is compulsory (Wajib) for every free Muslim
who owns an amount equal to the Nisab in excess of what is necessary for the
satisfaction of the primary necessities of life (Haajah Asliyyah). According to
Hanafis, three conditions are stipulated: the giver must (1) be free, (2) be a
Muslim, and (3) own a Nisab. The obligation is due to the words of the Prophet
(peace be upon him), “Pay for each free person and slave, minor or major,
one-half Sa’ of wheat, or one Sa’ of dates, or one Sa’ of barely." (Sunan
Abu Dawud, vol. 2, p. 406)
It is reported by Abdullah Ibn Umar that the Messenger of
Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa'
of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young
or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the
'Eid prayer. (Bukhari and Muslim)
It is narrated that Abdullah ibn Abbas said at the end of
Ramadan, “Pay Sadaqah for your fasts, for this Sadaqah has been stipulated by
the Messenger of Allah, which is one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley, or half
Sa’ of wheat." (Abu Dawud and Nasai)
It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent a
person into the neighbourhoods of Makkah and said, “Announce that the Sadaqah
al-Fitr is waajib (compulsory). (Tirmidhi)
It is reported from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be
upon him) stipulated the Zakat al-Fitr so that the fasts may be purified from
shameless and vulgar utterances and so that the needy (Miskeen) may be fed.
(Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Haakim)
It is reported from Hazrat Anas that the Messenger of Allah
said, “The fasts of a servant remain suspended between the skies and the earth
until he does not discharge the Sadaqah al-Fitr. (Dailami, Ibn Asaakir)
With the aforementioned narrations, Sadaqah al-Fitr,
according to Hanafis, becomes compulsory (Wajib) and not a definitive
obligation (Farz) due to the absence of definitive evidence (Dalil Qati’i).
Imam Shafei and Imam Hanbal consider it Farz-like Zakat, whereas Imam Malik
believes this act to be Sunnah Mu’akkadah.
Sadaqah al-Fitr is compulsory for every free Muslim who owns
the Nisab which is more than the primary necessities of life (Hajah Asliyyah).
There is no condition of sanity (aqil), puberty (Baaligh), and productive
wealth (Maal Al Naami). (Durre Mukhtar, vol. 2, p. 99)
It is compulsory for a father to pay the Fitra on behalf of
his children as well if the minors themselves do not own the Nisab. However, if
the minors own the Nisab, the fitra should be paid up from their wealth.
Fasting is not conditional on Fitra becoming compulsory. If
a person did not fast due to some valid reason, such as travelling, illness, or
old age, it is still compulsory for him to pay it. (Raddul Muhtar, vol. 2, p.
101)
A Muslim is not obliged to pay the Fitra on behalf of his
wife due to inadequate authority and liability of burden, for he does not have
authority over her beyond the rights of Nikah. He also does not bear her
burden, except in the case of prescribed matters like medical treatment.
Similarly, he is not liable for the Fitra of his children who have attained the
age of majority, even if he is responsible for their provisions and they are
still part of their family, due to a lack of legal authority. However, if he
does pay it on behalf of his children and his wife without a request on their
part, it will be counted as valid based on Istihsan due to the confirmation of
permission in practice. [Hidaya, chapter Sadaqah al-Fitr/Durre Mukhtar, vol. 2,
p. 10]
If the wife paid the Fitra of her husband without his
authority, it would not be deemed valid. (Alamgiri, vol. 1, p. 193; Raddul
Muhtar, vol. 2, p. 102/103, etc.)
One is not obliged to pay the Fitrah on behalf of his
mother, father, paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, and his Na-Baaligh
brothers, nor on behalf of his other relatives, and he cannot do so without
their authority. [Alamgiri, vol. 1, p. 193]
When Should A Muslim Pay Sadaqah Al-Fitr?
A Muslim should pay Sadaqah al-Fitr on the day of Eid after
the true dawn (Subh e Sadiq) appears. It is recommended to pay the Fitra on the
day of Eid before going towards the place of Eid prayer because the Prophet
(peace be upon him) used to pay it before moving towards the place of prayer
(Hidaya). If he has not paid it in the stipulated period, he should pay it now
as he has his entire life to pay it, and this will be regarded as ‘on time’
(Ada) and not Qaza, though it is Sunnah to do so before the Eid prayer. (Durre
Mukhtar)
Whom to Pay Sadaqah al-Fitr?
The recipients of Sadaqah al-Fitr are the same as
those of Zakah. In other words, you may give Fitrah to those to whom you
may give Zakah, and you are not permitted to give Fitrah to those to
whom you are not permitted to give Zakaat, except an ‘Aamil’
(Zakaat Collector appointed by the Islamic Ruler), because he is permitted to
accept Zakaat but not Fitrah. (Durre-Mukhtar, Raddul Muhtar, vol. 1, p. 108;
Bahare Shariat, p. 148)
The categories of recipients who deserve to receive the
Fitra, as mentioned in Surah Tawbah (9:60), include the poor (Faqir), the needy
or indigent (Miskeen), reconciliation of hearts, freeing captives and slaves,
debtors, in the way of Allah (fi Sabilillah), and the traveller. As for the Zakah
collectors mentioned in this verse, they deserve to accept Zakah but not
Fitrah, as mentioned above.
Sadaqah al-Fitr is offered out of four substances:
(1) wheat (Genhu), (2) barely (Jau), (3) dried dates (Khujur), and (4)
raisins (Kishmish). In the case of wheat, the amount due is one-half Sa’ per
person. In the case of barely dried dates and raisins, one full Sa’ is due per
person.
According to in-depth research, the weight of one Sa’
equates to the weight of 351 rupees, and half a Sa’ equates to the weight of
175 rupees (Fatawa Razviyya, Ala Hazrat). According to Mufti Jalaluddin Amjadi,
the quantity of one Sa’ in today’s measurement is approximately 4.94
kilogrammes, and half a Sa’ is 2.47 kilogrammes (Anwar-e-Shariat). There are
differences regarding the exact measurement; however, this view can be taken as
preferable. Thus, any one of the following substances can be given as Fitrah;
(1) Dried dates: one Sa’ = 4.94 kg
(2) Barely: one Sa’ = 4.94 kg
(3) Raisins: one Sa’ = 4.94 kg
(4) Wheat: one half of one Sa’ = 2.47 kg
It is also permissible to calculate the amount of Sadaqah
al-Fitr due based on the substance’s value and to offer its value in money
instead. This is considered preferable because it is of more benefit to the
poor. It is permissible to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr on behalf of a group to a single
needy person or to pay it on behalf of a single person to several needy people.
What Is The Purpose Of Sadaqah Al-Fitr?
There are two basic purposes behind paying Sadaqah al-Fitr.
(1) It should be paid as a levy on the fasting person. This is based on the
Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have
said, “The fasts of a servant remain suspended between the skies and the earth
until he does not discharge the Sadaqah al-Fitr” (Dailami, Ibn Asaakir). (2)
The second basic purpose is to meet the needs of the poor so that they can
celebrate Eid al-Fitr with others. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is
reported to have stipulated the Zakat ul Fitr so that the fasts may be purified
from shameless and vulgar utterances and so that the needy (Miskeen) may be
fed. (Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Haakim)
An Extremely Crucial Thing To Remember
If one can pay the amount of dried dates or raisins, he
should pay the same instead of paying the quantity or amount of wheat, which is
cheaper and not more beneficial for the poor and needy people. While planning
to pay any type of Sadaqah, one should adopt the means that can be more helpful
for the needy, as the main objective of Sadaqah al-Fitr, in the words of a
Hadith, is “to liberate the needy from the humiliation of begging and walking
around on this day (Eid al-Fitr)”.
-----
A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com,
Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar with a Sufi
background and an English-Arabic-Urdu Translator.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/eid-fitr-joy-brotherhood-peace-love-unity/d/132117
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism