Ibn ‘Umar said God’s messenger prescribed as the zakat payable by slave and freeman, male and female, young and old among the Muslims on breaking the fast of Ramadan a sa'* of dried dates or a sa' of barley, and gave command that this should be paid before the people went out to prayer. (Bukhari and Muslim.)* The Hijazi sa' is described as a measure equivalent to four mudds, the mudd being the amount a man with average size hands can hold with both hands extended.
Zakat al-Fitr: The Obligation Upon Every Muslim
From the esteemed compilation Mishkat al-Masabih, hadith reference 1815, we examine this profound narration from the noble companion Ibn 'Umar. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established Zakat al-Fitr as an obligatory charity incumbent upon every Muslim without exception—slave or free, male or female, young or old. This universal application demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic social welfare, ensuring even the most humble members contribute to and benefit from communal purification.
The Prescribed Measure and Substance
The authentic measure prescribed is one sa' of dates or barley. The Hijazi sa' constitutes four mudds, with each mudd representing what an average man can hold in his two hands extended. This precise measurement reflects the divine wisdom in establishing clear, tangible standards for worship, preventing ambiguity in fulfilling religious duties.
The specification of staple foods like dates and barley indicates the wisdom of requiring commonly available, nutritious sustenance that can genuinely benefit the poor. Later scholarly consensus extended this to include other staple foods of a region, maintaining the spirit of providing essential nourishment to those in need.
The Timely Discharge: A Crucial Condition
The command to pay this zakat before the Eid prayer carries profound wisdom. This timing ensures the poor can partake in the festivities of Eid, experiencing the joy and abundance that marks the celebration. To delay beyond the prayer without valid excuse constitutes negligence in this religious duty.
The scholars emphasize that the optimal time for payment is between the Fajr prayer on Eid day and before the Eid prayer. However, permissibility begins one or two days before Eid to facilitate distribution. This careful timing reflects the balance between accommodating practical needs while maintaining the spiritual significance of purifying the fasting person before the communal prayer.
Spiritual Dimensions and Wisdom
Zakat al-Fitr serves as purification for the fasting person from any indecent acts or speech committed during Ramadan, completing the spiritual cleansing achieved through fasting. It further functions as sustenance for the poor, ensuring no Muslim is deprived of celebrating Eid due to poverty.
The inclusion of every Muslim—regardless of status—demonstrates the equality before divine legislation and the collective responsibility within the Muslim community. Even the slave, who owns nothing, must have this paid on their behalf, emphasizing the inescapable nature of this obligation and the interconnectedness of the Muslim body.