Hadith Text

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 `Id prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms approx.)

Source Reference

Book: Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat)

Author: Sahih al-Bukhari

Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1503

Scholarly Commentary

This noble hadith establishes the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr, which purifies the fasting person from idle talk and obscenities during Ramadan and provides food for the needy. The wisdom behind its legislation is to perfect the fast and spread joy among all Muslims on Eid day.

The obligation encompasses every Muslim regardless of status - free or enslaved, male or female, young or old. This demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic legislation and its concern for social solidarity.

The specified amount is one Sa' of staple food, with dates and barley mentioned as examples from the common foods of Medina. Scholars have determined that equivalent staple foods of a region may be substituted.

The timing is specifically legislated to be before the Eid prayer, ensuring the poor can benefit during the festive occasion. If delayed, it remains an obligation but loses the special merit of being distributed at the proper time.

Legal Rulings

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory (wajib) upon every Muslim who possesses food beyond their needs for Eid day and night.

The head of household must pay on behalf of all dependents under their care, including children and servants.

The preferred time for payment is from dawn on Eid day until before the Eid prayer. It may be paid one or two days earlier to facilitate distribution.

The recipients are the same eight categories eligible for general zakat, with emphasis on the poor and needy to ensure they can celebrate Eid with dignity.