Eid-ul-Fitr and Fitra Explained

Introduction

Eid-ul-Fitr is the special reward from Allah (SWT) for momineen upon the completion of fasting during Ramzan. It falls on the 1st of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It is known as Eid-al-Fitr because of the obligation for momineen to pay the Zakat-al-Fitr, also known as Fitra.

Fitra

Fitra is obligatory, and Shariah (jurisprudence) emphasizes its observance greatly. Abandoning the payment of Fitra is considered a major sin (Gunaha-e-Kabeera). Imam Jafer Sadiq (A.S.) has stated, “Just as if any person does not recite Salawat for Prophet Mohammad (PBUH & HF) and his Ahl-e-Bait (A.S.) during prayers, his/her prayer is not acceptable, likewise if a person does not pay Fitra at the end of Ramzan, his/her Fasts of Ramzan are not acceptable.”

Obligation of Fitra

Fitra is obligatory on all sane (aaqil), mature (baligh), liberated (indicating that it is not obligatory on slaves), and financially independent (Ghani) persons. Ghani, in this context, means a person who can independently afford the expenses for the whole year. This means either having sufficient cash readily available or having a permanent job/business that sufficiently covers the expenses for the whole year. If these conditions do not exist, one is categorized as Faqeer (dependent or insolvent), and Fitra is not obligatory on them; instead, it is Mustahab (recommended).

Fitra is obligatory on Ghani persons for themselves as well as for their family members. This holds true regardless of whether the family members are mature (baligh) or not (na-baligh), or liberated/free or slave. Likewise, it is obligatory to pay the Fitra for a guest (whether Muslim or non-Muslim) who is staying with the person when the moon of Shawwal is sighted. However, if the guest arrives after the sighting of the moon, their Fitra is not obligatory on the host. If the host is a Faqeer (dependent or insolvent) and the guest is a Ghani (solvent), then the guest would pay their own Fitra.

Timing of Fitra

Fitra becomes obligatory (wajib) upon the sighting of the moon. It is preferable to separate the Fitra during the night. From that time onward, the Fitra can be distributed at any time but should not be delayed past the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers the next day. If, for some reason, the Fitra is not distributed before the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, it can still be distributed until the evening of Eid-ul-Fitr with the intention (niyat) of seeking closeness to Allah (Qurbatan il-Allah). The distinction of delayed (Qaza) or within time (Ada) is not necessary. If the Fitra has been separated with the intention of giving it to a specific deserving person (mustahiq), then further delay is permitted.

Even with these conditions, if Fitra is not distributed until the sun starts descending (zawal), it is still recommended to pay it on that day. However, if the day passes, Fitra should still be paid on the following day.

Amount of Fitra

The measurement of Fitra, in Shariah terminology, is one Sa’ah, which is approximately 3 Kilos and 250 grams per person. To be on the safe side, 3.5 Kilos of Fitra per person is recommended. The grain used for Fitra can be wheat, barley, dates, rice, or any other item that is more frequently used for eating. It is perfectly acceptable to pay the monetary equivalent of 3.5 Kilos of any of the above items to the deserving people. The amount will be determined according to the prevailing market rates of the items.

Deserving People Who Can Receive Fitra

The most deserving people to receive Fitra are the poor. Preference should be given to relatives if they are in need. After relatives, any poor neighbors should be prioritized, followed by the Ulema (scholars). During the period of occultation (ghaibat) of Imam Zamana (A.S.), it is preferable to give the amounts of Fitra to a Mujtahid Jame-ush-Sharaet (learned scholars). Persons receiving Fitra should not be Syed; however, if the Fitra is coming from a Syed, then a deserving Syed can also receive it. Additionally, the poor receiving the Fitra should not be dependent on the person giving it. Fitra should be given to those who are not expected to engage in major sins. Finally, one deserving person should not be given less than the amount of one Fitra (equal to 3.5 Kgs of any of the above-mentioned items), though more than one Fitra can be given to a deserving person.