When is Eid ul Fitr 2024?

This year, Ramadan is expected to end on 9th April 2024, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Have you paid your Zakat al-Fitr and your Fidyah?

Fitrah, or Zakat al-Fitr, is a mandatory charitable contribution required of every Muslim who possesses sufficient financial resources to support themselves on the day of Eid. This contribution, which is due on Eid al-Fitr, involves providing or paying the equivalent value of a staple food item, such as rice, for oneself, all household members, and one’s parents if they lack a source of income. It is essential that Zakat al-Fitr be paid before the Imam begins the sermon (khutbah) on Eid day, although it may be distributed any time during the day until sunset.

Eligibility for Zakat al-Fitr is determined not just by the financial situation on the day of Eid but throughout the entire month. It includes individuals whose expenses exceed their income, indicating financial strain. However, being eligible to receive Zakat al-Fitr does not exempt an individual from the obligation to pay it if they can afford the expenses of Eid day.

Therefore, a person who faces financial difficulties throughout the month but has sufficient means on Eid al-Fitr is both entitled to receive Zakat al-Fitr and obligated to contribute. This dual eligibility highlights the balance between giving and receiving, based on one’s financial capacity on the day of Eid.

What is Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana)?

Zakat al-Fitr, also referred to as Fitrana, represents a mandatory act of charity involving the donation of food, which is required to be made before the Eid prayer and the conclusion of Ramadan, as an expression of devotion to Allah. Every financially stable adult Muslim, who possesses more food than what is needed for themselves and their dependents, is obligated to fulfill this duty.

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained Zakat al-Fitr [Fitrana] to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere Sadaqah for the one who gives it after the prayer.

Hadith | Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah

The quantity is described by the Prophet (PBUH) as one saa’ of food, and one saa’ is equivalent to four madd. A madd is the amount that can be scooped up when one puts their hands together. If we translate this into a monetary value based on the price of a staple food such as flour or rice, it is approximately R73. Therefore the amount due for each person is R73.

As Islamic Relief acts as a charitable agent, we can therefore be given the money to pay for the food beforehand which we will then spend where needed at the correct time to buy the food. As a result, this will be distributed among those people around the world that are in need.

Shafi’i School of Thought

The method for calculating Zakat al-Fitr varies among Islamic schools of thought, primarily concerning the payment of one Sāʿ of certain food items like rice, barley, or dates. Mufti Khan points out that according to the Shafi’i school, Zakat must be given in the form of these commodities themselves, not their monetary equivalent.

Despite this, Mufti Khan advocates for giving the monetary value of these commodities to help beneficiaries more effectively. However, since the Shafi’i school does not permit this form of payment, adherents wishing to donate money instead must follow the Hanafi school’s guidelines, which allow for monetary donations.

Hanafi School of Thought

The Hanafi school permits the donation of Zakat al-Fitr’s monetary equivalent, with some specifics. For instance, when donating flour, half a Sāʿ, or 1.75kg, suffices. Yet, for barley or dates, the full Sāʿ equivalent in money, representing 3.5kg of the commodity, must be given.

This approach explains the Muslim Judicial Council’s two different rates for Zakat al-Fitr: R37 for flour (based on 1.75kg) and R73 for barley or dates (based on 3.5kg). Mufti Khan clarifies that this dual-rate system allows those facing financial hardships to contribute the lower amount of R37, while those who can afford more can opt to give R73, thus easing the financial burden on donors.

Minimum Fitrah 2024

R37 – ,

R73 – , Shafi’i and .

Fidyah

Fidyah represents a voluntary contribution, becoming mandatory only if someone is unable to fast during Ramadan due to circumstances beyond their control. Mufti Khan explains that this includes individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant women who need extra nutrition for their unborn child, and seniors for whom fasting could harm their health. These people must compensate for each day of fasting missed during Ramadan by paying Fidyah.

The amount for Fidyah is set at the equivalent of 1kg of rice. This can either be donated in the form of rice itself or as a monetary value, which is approximately R23. This calculation is based on the Islamic jurisprudence of Sufyan al-Thawri.