Khaberni - As the end of the month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims increasingly inquire about the timing of Zakat al-Fitr and the ruling on paying it earlier, especially in the last ten days, according to what is mentioned in the Sunnah and the scholars' opinions.
Zakat al-Fitr is one of the Islamic rulings ordained by Allah Almighty for every able Muslim, and it is among the acts of worship that achieve social solidarity and help the needy and poor on Eid day. As the end of the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, questions abound about the timing of Zakat al-Fitr, and whether it is permissible to pay it during the last ten days of Ramadan?
Timing of Zakat al-Fitr
From the sunset of the last day of Ramadan until before the Eid prayer.
It is permissible to pay it a day or two before Eid.
The ruling on delaying it after the Eid prayer
If Zakat al-Fitr is delayed until after the Eid prayer, it becomes an ordinary charity and does not fulfill its Shariah purpose.
Is it permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr in the last ten days of Ramadan?
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on every able Muslim, and the time to pay it, according to the Prophetic Sunnah, starts from the sunset of the last day of Ramadan until before the Eid prayer. The Hadith from Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, mentioned:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed Zakat al-Fitr from Ramadan, a sa' of dates or a sa' of barley on the slave and the free, the male and the female, the young and the old among the Muslims, and instructed that it be paid before the people go out to the prayer” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim).
Based on this Hadith, the best time to pay Zakat al-Fitr is immediately before the Eid prayer. However, the question arises about the permissibility of paying it in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Opinions of the scholars on paying it during the last ten days
Majority Opinion: The majority of the scholars see it as not permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr before its prescribed time, which is after the sunset of the last day of Ramadan.
Opinion of Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi'i scholars: They permitted paying it a day or two before Eid, based on the Hadith of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them: “They used to give it a day or two before Fitr” (Reported by Bukhari).
Opinion of some contemporary scholars: They allowed paying it even in the last ten days of Ramadan, provided it reaches its beneficiaries on time, to facilitate its distribution and ensure that the poor benefit from it.
It is permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr in the last ten days of Ramadan if needed, but it is better to be paid a day or two before Eid, or at its original time after the sunset of the last day of Ramadan.
When is paying it correct?
A day or two before Eid: Permissible according to the Prophetic Sunnah.
Much earlier than that: Not correct and does not fulfill the legal purpose of Zakat al-Fitr.
It is not permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr in the first ten days of Ramadan, and it is best to perform it at its prescribed time according to Sharia.
What is Zakat al-Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is a charity prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on every Muslim, young or old, rich or poor, provided they possess what exceeds their need on the day of Eid.
Wisdom of Zakat al-Fitr
A purification for the fasting person from idle talk or shortcomings during Ramadan.
Helping the poor and needy and enabling them to share the joy of Eid.
Enhancing social solidarity among Muslims by supporting less fortunate groups.
Ruling of Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on all able Muslims, as established in the Prophetic Hadith:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed Zakat al-Fitr as a cleansing for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity, and as food for the needy” (Reported by Abu Dawood).
Therefore, delaying it beyond its prescribed time is considered a violation, and Muslims are urged to pay it before the time expires.
Amount of Zakat al-Fitr
The Prophetic Sunnah specified the amount of Zakat al-Fitr as one sa' of food, which roughly equals about 2.5 to 3 kilograms of the main staple food of the family, such as:
Dates
Rice
Flour
Barley
It is also permissible to pay it in cash according to some scholars if that is more beneficial for the poor.
