What is Zakat ul Fitr ?
Muslims all over the world would distribute at least $15 billion at the end of the month of fasting under the obligation of Zakat ul Fitr
What is Zaka ul Fitr ?
It is a certain amount of money every Muslim including the unborn babied (conceived) has to pay before the end of the Eid prayers, that marks the end of the month of fasting.
Ibn Umar reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) prescribed the payment of Zakat-ul -Fitr of Ramadan for people, for every free man, or slave, male and female among the Muslims-one sa ' of dried dates, or one sa ' of barley. ( Sahih Muslim, Book 12, Hadith 16)
It is obligatory upon every Muslim to pay zakat ul Fitr before the end of the Eid prayers. Even though some scholars say that it can be paid before the end of the Eid day.
One sa of barley or dried dates comprise between 2.5 kg to 3 kg. In the US, the cost of 3 kg of barley is 11 dollars for regular and about $35.00 for organic. The cost of dried dates is about $15.00 for regular and $35 or more for organic
Most masajid and Islamic Centers calculate the amount of zakat ul Fitr to be between $12 to $15.00
Implied in this obligation is the assertion that Zakat ul Fitr is to be distributed before the Eid Prayer. Usually, in Islamic Centers and masajid in the US, this does not happen. The amount of money collected during the Eid prayers for Zakat ul Fitr is counted after the prayers, deposited and then distributed. Often, might take days and weeks before it is distributed.
In order to follow the Sunnah of the prophet for this obligatory payment
The Prophet of Allah said, "The fasting of the month of fasting will be hanging between earth and the heavens and it will not be raised up to the Divine Presence without paying the Zakat al-Fitr."
It is also paid To purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and helping the poor and needy.
It is paid to the same categories of people and institutions as mentioned Surat Al-Tawbah, [9: 60]. They include:
1. the poor
2. the needy,
3. collectors of Zakah,
4. reconciliation of hearts,
5. freeing from bondage
6. debtors
7. in a cause of God
8. the traveler.
Under the present system of collection, the Zakat ul Fitr cannot be disbursed instantly at least in the US and other Western Countries. In order to distribute it before Eid, Muslims need to bring about change in the collection of Zakat ul Fitr
1. Every Institution should have special collection boxes and account for Zakat ul Fitr
2. The institution should mark a deadline for this collection.
3. They should calculate and deposit the collection instantly and distribute it before the Eid prayers either to individuals or institutions.
4. They should advertise in advance so that qualified people can apply.
5. The whole process should be transparent and the privacy of the recipient should be preserved.
The process of collecting and distributing Zakat ul Fitr mentioned in the above five points makes sense. The transparency should be there and privacy must be preserved. The best saying I heard about transparency is: "If you don't tell people what you are doing, people will think that you are doing something bad." This does not mean you are not doing the right thing; it helps in opening up minds and wallets for other projects too. The next best I heard is this:" If we collect it from every member sitting here, then we have solved the problem." No it is not going to solve the problem. The best way is to formulate a plan, develop a process and keep as first priority the intention to serve people. This we need to do. Use the above referenced process and put it to work.
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