ZAKATUL FITRA AND FIDYA 1439 AH – FOR UK AND EUROPE ONLY
When does Zakatul Fitra become obligatory?
According to the Shariah, Zakatul Fitra becomes incumbent when the new moon of Shawwal is sighted. This is known as Zakat of Fitra, which is Wajib on every Baligh person.
Who is to give Zakatul Fitrah?
As per law 2003 of Ayatullah Seestani’s ‘Islamic laws’: At the time of sunset on eve of Eid ul Fitr, whoever is adult and sane and is not unconscious, poor, or a slave, must give, on his behalf and on behalf of those who are dependent on him, one sa’a (about three kilos) per head of staple food in his home town such as wheat or barley or dates or raisins or rice or millet or something similar. It is also sufficient if he pays the price of one of these items instead.
Therefore, based on staple food, we would recommend that one person’s Zakatul Fitra may be:
| For UK may be | For Europe it may be equivalent to | For Scandinavia it may be equivalent to | For Swiss it may be equivalent to | ||||||
| Wheat | £3.00 | Euro 3.50 | SEK 36.00 | CHF 4.50 | |||||
| Rice | £5.00 | Euro 6.00 | SEK 59.50 | CHF 7.00 | |||||
Please note that this is based on average calculations of costs and if momineen use other staple food or expensive brands, then they need to undertake their own calculations.
What happens if we invite guests on eve of Eid ul Fitr?
The fiṭrah of a guest who arrives at one’s house after sunset on the eve of Eīd al-Fiṭr is, based on precaution, obligatory on the host provided that the guest is considered to be the host’s dependent; otherwise, it is not. If a person is invited to break his fast (ifṭār) on the eve of Eīd al-Fiṭr, he is not considered to be the host’s dependent and the guest’s fiṭrah is not the responsibility of the owner of the house.(Ruling 2008)
Disbursement of Zakatul Fitra: As long as the Mustahiq of Fitra is available in your own country of residence, the Shariah enjoins upon you to spend it locally.
The recommended precaution is that a poor person should not be given fitra which is less than a sa’a (about 3 kilos). However, there is no harm if more than that is given to him (Islamic acts 2027).
Can I give Zakatul Fitrah in advance?
Since Zakatul Fitra becomes Wajib when the new moon of Shawwal is sighted, Shariah does permit advance payment to the Mustahiqqeen. However if there is no problem if one gives the sum as a loan to a deserving person or family earlier and then you will make niyyat for the sum being Fitra, upon sighting of the new moon. (Ruling 2034)
For those Jamaats who collect Zakatul Fitra, The Council of European Jamaat has the following recommendation to make:
- If you come to know of a deserving person or family in your city or country of residence, you will please consider it as a priority case.
- According to Ayatullah Seestani, the Mustahiq must be a Shia Ithna Asheri.
- Fitra of a non-Seyyid cannot be given to a Seyyid; but a Seyyid may give his own Fitra to a Seyyid.
- For UK Jamaats: If Member of your Jamaat can be persuaded to make A Gift Aid Declaration, with your Jamaat (if it is a Registered Charity) the benefit of tax rebate can be used.
The Council of European Jamaat will gladly collect Fitra and deposit the whole amount, without any deduction to The World Federation of KSMIC for Distribution.
The World Federation distributes Fitra amongst the needy in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, East Africa and Iran. In fact, an advance payment towards this has already been made by The World Federation so as to alleviate the needs of Mumineen during the Holy Month of Ramadhan and to allow them to provide for their families on the occasion of EID UL FITR.
FIDYA
We also take this opportunity to remind the Momineen that the CoEJ is also collecting Fidya for those who are unable to fast due to illness or old age. The amount of Fidya is £1.50 for each fast.
| For UK | For Europe it may be equivalent to | For Scandinavia it may be equivalent to | For Swiss it may be equivalent to | ||||||
| FIDYA | £1.50 | Euro 2.00 | SEK 18.00 | CHF 2.00 | |||||
You can also pay your Zakatul Fitra and Fidya online at www.coej.org.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact on 0208 696 5200 or secretariat@coej.org
With Salaams and Dua’s
Islamic Cultural Affairs Committee
The Council of European Jamaats
Ramadhan 1439 AH