Islam

Giving Zakath indispensable in completing fasting

N. U. Abdul RAZZAK

Although many an article about the importance of fasting in the Islamic month of Ramadhan are studded in the features or religious columns of the national newspapers, the aspect of Zakathul Fithra which is an essential part of fasting is not discussed at length. Indeed, fasting becomes perfect when this act of essential charity is properly fulfilled. As the religion of Islam always takes a keen interest in every aspect of human life including economic firstly it is apt to know the importance of giving this Sadakathul Fitra in this Holy Month of Ramadan. Secondly, today the cost of living that has sky-rocketed across the globe in general and the South Asia in particular also compels to look at this aspect so as to help Muslims give this essential alms in the right manner.

What is Zakathul Fitra

Eid prayers under way

It is an essential act of charity made compulsory upon Muslims in the month of Ramadan. It is also known as Sadakathul Fitr. The words Sadaka is normally considered as a donation or charity. But the term Zakath emphasises that it is an obligatory duty enjoined on every Muslim. Therefore Muslims living every nook and corner of the world should consider this as a serious act such as the observing of the fast itself.

Purpose of giving this essential alms.

There are three important reasons why this obligatory duty is made compulsory upon every Muslim. First and foremost, it gets rid of the crisis, difficulties grievances and the hardship of people who observe fasting. Secondly, this essential act of charity replaces the defects, faults, flaws and short-comings that have crept into the fast of a Muslim. So it is obvious this charity helps in no small way to make each day of keeper of the fasting complete, perfect and flawless. The third reason is to wipe the tears, of the poor and the destitute. This indeed helps so much to give a helping hand to the people who live below the poverty line and the groups of people who need help due to special reasons though they are not essentially poor.

Therefore it is crystal clear, Islam as a perfect religion largely expects all the Muslims to give this special contribution to change the fate of the poor and needy. Some of the Muslims may ignore this charity as a minute one as the amount of help is paltry. Remember trifles make perfection but perfection is not a trifle. The poor members of the Muslim community which covers a big slice of this society can get a big relief and consolation in the Zakathul Fitra is given properly as mentioned in the Holy Quran.

Although every Muslim is generally expected to adhere to this obligatory duty during the month of Ramadan, closer analysis clearly say that Muslims who are able to spend on the expenses with their income or earnings are only asked to abide by this obligation. Therefore it is very clear if the expenses of a family exceeds the earning, they are not required to give the Sadakathul Fitra. Hence Muslim families who belong to the lower class should not borrow from others to do this essential act of charity. Instead, they become eligible recipients of it.

What is given as Sadakathul Fitra?

Muslims who follow Shafi Mazhab (Sri Lankans follow this Mazhah) are required to give a portion of the staple food of the respective country as the Sadakathul Fitra. Since rice is the staple food of Sri Lanka, Muslims should select this grain for the fulfilment of this duty. The amount of Sadakathul Fitra for a person in a family is 2.25 killogrammes of rice. So if there are 8 members in a family eighteen kilos of rice should be given to the poor and needy. In any case, the learned Ulamas and Moulavis are of the opinion that the amount 2.25 should be made as 2 1/2 kilo so as to get the complete satisfaction of Allah. Simply a person who fasts for a month should distribute 2 and a half kilos of rice to make his fasting perfect. Therefore the head of the family of eight members who come under his care should spend the money for 20 kilos of good rice for this essential duty.

Fasting is not compulsory on children but Fitra is compulsory even for an infant that was born on the last day of fasting. So Muslims should seriously take this obligation to get the satisfaction of the Almighty Allah. Those who have paddy can offer two folds of rice they are required to give to the poor and the other categories who are eligible to get this charity.

Ideal duration for giving Sadakathul Fitra.

Muslims are normally asked to give their share of Fitra during any day of fasting. However there is an ideal duration for giving this essential charity. This time begins when the new moon or the crescent is seen on the last day of fasting. The ending of this period commences when the Eid prayers get under way.

There is a sound reason for this. Giving Fitra during these hours ensures that every hearth of the poor Muslim families gets the rare opportunity of cooking a perfect meal for the whole family. Hence the day of festival becomes a happy occasion for each and every Muslim. So Muslims have a responsibility of planning their Fitra to be given at the right time to get more merits.

Unfortunately, today Fitra is taken for granted by a considerable slice of the Muslim population. Giving a tin of rice to the beggars won't fulfill this obligation. Nobody will oppose that beggars should be helped. But what Islam expects is to distribute the food through this essential act of charity to the eight groups where beggars automatically get a place. Identifying the eight groups is a duty upon every Muslim as a good number of beggars do begging as a profession.

A few are well off. There are some who work on contract. A good number of healthy young persons also get engaged in begging as it is lucrative. Therefore throwing the food to the wrong persons will not create economic revolution as expected by Islam. When Zakath and Sadaka are offered in a wrong manner it will create confusion in society.

The Holy Quran clearly names the eight groups of people who are permitted to get this charity. The Quranic verse 60 of the 9th Sura in the 10th Chapter says:

"Alms shall be only for the poor and the needy and for those employed to administer alms and for those attracted to the faith and for captives and debtors and for the cause of Allah and the way farer. That is a duty enjoined by Allah. He is wise, knowing."

According to these words of Allah, the first group who get themselves listed are the poor. They take two groups in the eight divisions. The first group is known as the Fukara (plural). A Fakkeer is a person who has no income at all for the survival of him or the members who depend on him. The genuine beggars certainly get a prominent place in this group.

The second group though slightly better than the first one, they also fight to keep the wolf from the door. Simply because their income is hardly enough to run the family. The third group is the people who get engaged in collecting the provisions for this charity. Normally they work for Mosque or the Islamic welfare societies that are dedicated to wipe the tears of the poor and the destitute.

People who only work during the month of Ramadan do not come under this group as Islam required them to work throughout the year. Therefore Muslims should carefully decide when giving Fitra to this group.

Otherwise collectors can become rich (in a short period) overnight thus setting a bad example which is never allowed in Islam.

The fourth group is also an important segment in the Islamic society. They are the converts or the new Muslims. This charity is made compulsory to be accepted by them till they settle down. So it can take a few years for them to adhere to Islam completely. Till then Muslims should give their Sadakathul Fitra to them. No Muslim should forget this group as Almighty Allah wants them to follow Islam without any burden.

The fifth group entertains slaves as the right group to enjoy the benefits of Sadakathul Fitra. As freed slaves and not found in countries like Sri Lanka in this age, Muslims can think of other groups to give their charity.

Islam always extends its support for the people who are in trouble. The sixth group is rightly reserved to debtors. Most of these hapless people never reveal their problems as they want to keep their status intact. So the Muslims can seriously think of giving their Sadakathul Fitra to such person who are in financial crisis. Muslims who live in a particular locality can easily identify such persons who live with them.

The penultimate category goes to the wayfarers. People who are on long tours can face different problems. Giving our Sadakathul Fitra can be very much useful to get over their problems. So the way farers too should be given their share of Sadakathul Fitra. Lastly, people who sacrifice themselves for the cause of Allah get themselves included to get this charity.

The person who receives charity never loses his position or respect as identification should be made by the fellow Muslims who has the income to spend on his expenses. Sadakathul Fitr is not an act of begging. All these aforementioned 8 types of people will essentially not visit the doorstep of the Muslim residences. Therefore it is a responsibility to identify the group. Let us give more to get more.

In the name of Allah the beneficent the Merciful:

The Month of the Qur'aan

Nafeela MUKTHAR

This Holy month of Ramadhan in which Muslims in every corner of the globe observe such rigid fasting is also known as the month of the Qur'aan. The Qur'aan, the word of Allaah was conveyed to the Prophet Muhammad (Sal.) through Angel Jibraeel for the guidance and salvation of mankind. "Wherewith Allaah guides all those who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and He brings them out of darkness by His will unto light and guides them to the straight path".

It is beyond the scope of a layman to write about the profound wisdom, majesty and the beauty that is the Qur'aan. Yet with Allaah's infinite Mercy and help I did try once. In all humility quote a few lines from my Booklet: "Ponder says the Holy Qur'aan" for the appreciation of the reading public.

The Holy Qur’aan

The word Qur'aan is derived from the word 'Ikra' - which in Arabic means to recite or read: for research of self-knowledge spiritual understanding and all sciences. The qur'aan also has a large number of other names such as - Al-Hudha-the Guidance; Noor the light, Kalamullaah-the word of God etc. It is designated Al-Furquan - the Criterion i.e. a Book which teaches man to distinguish between different values and Right & Wrong. This is Book which we have revealed unto you - in order that you might lead mankind out of dankness into light by their Lord" (Surah Cave 14:1).

While the Qur'aan remains undoubtedly a religious book par excellence it is an immeasurable gift. "A Mercy from your Lord" - Allaah says in Surah 44:6. When you yearn to read it, listen to Him and get closer to the Creator, it overwhelms you.... the little you comprehend it. It is a Book of such Majesty which contains the powerful message that launched a great movement to eradicate ignorance and inspire man.

"It is of such exquisite style and its captivating language is almost poetical. Mohamed Marmaduke Picktall who translated the Qur'aan says in his introduction to the translation, "The Holy Qur'aan in its original Arabic language has a sublime beauty and charm of its own, couched in concise and exalted style its pregnant sentences often rhymed possess an expressive force and energy which it is impossible to convey by translating into any other language"

"The magical words of the Qur'aan has a magnetic effect on the listener. Its rhetoric is unique, that the qur'aan; without posing a direct injunction reminds you by way of question - "Do they not then think deeply in the Qur'aan or are their hears locked up (Surah 47:24).

"And when the female (infant buried alive for what sin was she killed?) (Surah 81:8,9). Only Allaah the Merciful could have used such heart-rendering style in His Divine Message. Doesn't this verse melt even the hardest of hearts and fill your eyes with tears? The Majestic eloquence of this Quranci Text is persuasive beautiful concise and most appealing. Though the sentences end in rhyme it is neither poetry nor prose.

The Qur'aan doesn't insist on anyone to accept dogmas without inquiry ... it encourages you to ponder reflect and understand. In Surah 3:190 Allaah says:" verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of night & day, these are indeed signs for men of understanding".

We notice that in almost every chapter of the Qur'aan there is a verse which commands man to ponder, reflect and understand. It does not insist on lofty ideals only it is down to earth within the domain of ethics "Oh! You believe", enter not houses other than your house, until you have asked permission: "Surah 24: 27).

"Cancel not your charity by reminders of our generosity (Surah 2: 264). "And give to the woman (whom you marry) their obligatory Mahr (money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart. (Surah 4:4). Even mundane affairs too are pinpointed and the people admonished. "Avoid much suspicion indeed some suspicions awe sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother: (Surah 49:12) "waste not by extravagance (Suah 6: 141). "Oh! Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at everytime and place of prayer. Eat and drink but waste not by extravagance (Surah 7:31). Allaah warns: in Surah 4:171 "Do not exceed the limits in your religion". "If the debtor is in difficulty, then grant him time... but if you remit it by way of charity that is better for you if you did but know" (Surah 2:280).

How exquisite is the verse which asks: "Who is he that will lend to Allaah goodly loan so that He may multiply it for him many times" (Surah 2:245).

Let us see what a non-Muslim Scholar John William Draper said in his "History of Intellectual Development of Europe. London Voluel-page 343-344" The Qur'aan abounds in excellent moral suggestions and precepts; its composition is so fragmentary that we cannot turn to a single page without finding maxims of which all man must approve".

The Qur'aan is the standing miracle of the Prophet (Sal.) He and his companions lived the life taught in the Qur'aan. Wasn't the beloved Prophet (Sal.) the Qur'aan personified?" Knowledge in the Quranic concept embraces every aspect of life. It covers field of human life, the universe and the vast space." "Are those who know are equal to those who know not. It is only men of understanding who will remember" (Surah 39:9).

It is so difficult for anyone to explain or comprehended how the Quranic verses revealed 14 centuries ago contains ideas that have been discovered quite recently and contains presise data which are closely related to facts discovered by modern day scientists.... The Qur'aan is not a book of Science. Yet Allaah in His Mercy invites man to ponder and reflect on be vastness of nature and His bounties.... and understand the relationship between Man - His creation and the Creator of the Worlds Al-Alameen".

What does the Qur'aan say about the origin of life? It emphatically pronounces that life is of aquatic origin - "Allaah has created very moving (living) creature from water. Of them there are some that creep on their bellies and some that walk on to legs, and some that walk on four Allaah creates what He Wills" (Surah 24:45).

If you read chapter Surah 2:164 of the Quranic Text you will marvell at the incomparable inimitable eloquence of this Qur'aan which draws our attentions towards astronomy, commerce, biology and natural phenomena of the rains, winds and the clouds"