Feed the Needy
During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to be charitable. Feeding people at the end of the fasting day represents a very rewarding spiritual act according to Islamic tradition and teachings. Islamic Relief’s Ramadan Food Program offers an opportunity for many needy people around the world who face food insecurity and hunger to be provided with a ‘Ramadan Food Packet’, which ensures that their burden is eased during the month of Ramadan. Each distributed food packet contains an amount of basic food commodities (approximately 33 pounds on average) for a family of 5 for the month of fasting. Each food packet is designed to consist of the most basic required dietary food materials, as suitable for the region/country.
Every year a wide range of beneficiaries are selected, including widows, orphans, destitute, aged, disabled, refugees and people affected by disasters. The beneficiaries are selected in conjunction with local welfare groups working alongside Islamic Relief offices worldwide.
Zakat-al-Fitr
What does Zakat-al-Fitr mean?
Zakat (Zakah) is the process of purification; Fitr (Fitrah) is an individual’s nature or natural state. Zakat-al-Fitr means to purify one’s nature. – Imam Ali Siddiqui, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Why does Zakat-al-Fitr have to be paid?
Ibn `Abbas said Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) mandated Zakat-al-Fitr so that those who fast are purified of their sins and the poor and needy people are enabled to arrange for their basic needs of food, clothing and other necessities; therefore, the Sadaqah (charity) of the person who gives before Eid prayer is the real Sadaqah, but if someone delays and gives it afterwards, his charity will be an ordinary one.[Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]
Who must pay Zakat-al-Fitr?
Ibn 'Umar narrated that Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) enjoined the payment of one sa'a of dates or one sa'a of barley as Zakat-al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave. [Bukhari and Muslim]
How much is Zakat-al-Fitr?
Abu Saeed narrated that during the time of the prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every child, aged person, free man or slave was one sa'a of food – one sa'a of dried yogurt, one sa'a of barley, one sa'a of dates or one sa'a of raisins. [Bukhari and Muslim]
Muslim jurists agree that Zakat al-Fitr can also be paid in the cash equivalent to one sa’a – approximately 6 pounds of grains. For 2010, the amount agreed upon by the Fiqh Council of North America for Zakat-al-Fitr is $10.
When should Zakat-al-Fitr be paid?
Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said that whoever paid it (Zakat al-Fitr) before Salat-ul- Eid, it is acceptable Zakat before Allah. Whoever paid it after Salat-ul-Eid, it is just a charity. [Bukhari]
Who is Zakat-al-Fitr paid to?
Zakat-al-Fitr should be paid directly to the needy and the poor.
Islamic Relief provides a Zakat-al-Fitr fund for donors where the money goes directly to helping the needy and poor.
How is the amount of Zakat-al-Fitr calculated?
Zakat al-fitr is a flat amount per household member – set at $10 for 2010 – paid by the head of the household for him or herself and his or her dependents. For example, a married person with three children should add the number of his household and multiply by $10. The total amount is thus calculated: 5x10=$50.
Kaffara/Fidya
Abu Huraira narrated: While we were sitting with the prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) a man came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have been ruined." Allah's Apostle asked what was wrong. He replied "I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting." Allah's Apostle asked him, "Can you afford to free a slave?" He replied in the negative. Allah's Apostle asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet kept silent and while we were in that state, a big basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet. He asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am here)." The Prophet said (to him), "Take this (basket of dates) and give it in charity." The man said, "Should I give it to a person poorer than I? By Allah, there is no family between its (Medina's) two mountains who are poorer than I." The Prophet smiled until his premolar teeth became visible and then said, “Feed your family with it" [Sahih Bukhari Book #31, Hadith #157]
What is Kaffara?
Kaffara – an expiatory or forgiveness gift – is a way of making amends for a wrong action or if a person has promised or is under obligation to do something but later finds out he cannot maintain his covenant. During Ramadan, Kaffara is a retribution paid for fasts that are broken or not kept even though the person was under obligation to fulfill the fast. According to the preceding hadith, if a fast is missed or broken, a person must
- Free a slave. If this is not possible, then –
- Fast for two consecutive months. If this is also not possible, then –
- Feed sixty poor people.
Islamic Relief offers the third option for anyone who cannot perform the first two.
What is Fidya?
[Fast] for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed number [should be made up] from days later. For those who can do it [with hardship] is a ransom: the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free-will― it is better for him, and it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. (The Holy Qur'an)
For those who cannot fast due to being among the elderly, ill, handicapped or any other valid reason, a payment – Fidya – must be given by feeding one poor person for each day of fasting not observed.
Islamic Relief offers a Fidya fund to serve donors’ needs and help provide meals for the needy during this blessed month.
Sadaqa Jariya
The prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that when a human dies then his good deeds stop, except for three: sadaqa jariya (continuous charity), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him. Islamic Relief offers donors a Sadaqa Jariya fund, where donations are put to efforts that will have a lasting impact on society, as well as lasting rewards for its sustainers.