Zakat in Ramzan

Q:What is Zakat al-Fitrah?
A:It is religious tax/alms (zakat) paid on the day when Muslims break the fasting period at the end
of the month of Ramadan. This tax/alms is known as Zakat al-Fitrah.
Q:What do the Qur’an and Hadith say about Fitrah?
A:Imams (pbut) say that the verses: Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, and glorifies the Name of his Lord and prays(87:14-15) refer to giving of Fitrah and
saying prayers on Eid al-Fitr. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (pbuh) said: For your fast to be accepted,
give zakat.
Q:When does Fitrah become wajib (obligatory)?
A:Payment of Fitrah becomes obligatory after sunset on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. The Fitrah should
be kept aside and paid on Eid al-Fitr before Eid prayers or before midday for those who cannot say
their Eid prayers. It is necessary to have obligatory intention (Niyyat) of giving Fitrah for God’s
pleasure only.
Q:What happens if someone forgets or does not give Fitrah on time?
A:If one does not give out or set aside the Fitrah within the due time, he should give the Fitrah later,
on the basis of precaution, without making the Niyyat of Adaa or Qaza but only ‘Qurbatan ila Allah.’
Q:Can we give Fitrah in advance?
A:Giving Fitrah before the eve of Eid al-Fitr is not permissible. However, if you wish to send Fitrah
earlier so that it reaches the needy on time, then you can send it as a temporary loan to the needy
and then change your intention from loan to Fitrah on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.
Q:To whom is Fitrah obligatory?
A:Paying Fitrah is obligatory on every Muslim who is mature (Baligh), sane, financially able, and
conscious on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. Fitrah should also be paid on behalf of all dependents (e.g. wife,
children) whom one supports financially.
Q:When is a host required to pay Fitrah for his guest?
A: If a person invites another person to his house on the eve of Eid al-Fitr and if the guest is present at the host’s place at the time of the sunset then it is obligatory for the host to pay Fitrah for his
guest.
Q:What happens if the guest arrives after the sunset on Eid night?
A:In this case the guest will pay his/her own Fitrah and it is not obligatory on the host to pay Fitrah
for the guest.
Q:What happens if a guest comes uninvited and is present at the time of the sunset on the eve of
Eid al-Fitr?
A:Ayatullah Sayyid As-Sistani says that the host should still pay the Fitrah as an obligatory precaution. However, Marhum Ayatullah Sayyid al-Khui was of the opinion that is recommended for the
host to pay Fitrah of an uninvited guest.
Q:How much should we pay for Fitrah?
A:Fitrah for a person is given on a weight of three kilograms (one sa’a) on any food commodity like wheat, barley, rice, millet, raisins or dates. Ayatullah Sayyid As-Sistani is of the opinion that the
item that is not a staple food in your town should not be given in Fitrah. Say, for example, if millet
is not a staple in Windsor then Windsor Mumineen should not pay Fitrah on millet.
Q:Can we give cash value of any commodity mentioned above?
A:Yes, cash value in lieu of any foodstuff mentioned can be given as Fitrah. Thus, if a Kilogram of
rice costs $2.00, the cash value of Fitrah on rice per person would be $6.00. We recommend, Fitrah
on Basmati rice to be Canadian Dollars 7.00 for residents of Canada and US Dollars 6.00 for US residents. (Please check prices for other items in your areas.)
Q:Whom should we give the Fitrah to?
A:It is given to the needy who are unable to meet their own or their dependants annual living
expenses, nor do they have the means to do so through earning. Ayatullah Sayyid As-Sistani says
that the needy who are given the fitrah must be a Shiah Ithna Ashari.
Q:Who should not be given the Fitrah?
A:A needy who: consumes alcohol, does not say his daily prayers (Salat), commits sins openly, or
he who is known to use the Fitrah in sinful way.
Q:Are there any additional rules that we need to be aware of?
A:Following are some important rules:
(i) Fitrah should not be sent outside the town one resides in, if there are deserving Mumineen
in that town.
(ii) Fitrah from a non-Sayyid cannot be given to a needy Sayyid; the reverse is permissible.
(iii) A needy should be given at least one Fitrah
(iv) Amongst the needy, relatives should be preferred over others when giving Fitrah, next in
line are neighbors and then the learned.

Reasons Why Muslims Fast?

Every year the month of Ramadan comes and goes; every year we fast, yet without proper
appreciation of the potentials of character building that the fasts hold for us. We find ourselves as spiritually backwards after the fast are over as when the month began. In fact our
lack of knowledge of the real objectives of fasts often tends to produce an adverse effect in us, for,
as is well known, the best of medicines could have ill effects if not taken in accordance with the
physician’s directives and instructions. Thus it is, that the fast tends to make many of us irritable
and quick tempered (expecting, as we do, VIP treatment from others, especially our subordinates
and family members because of our fast) while the fast was in fact meant to mellow us into exhibiting the finer tracts of human character as illustrated by our Imams.
Imam Sajjad (pbuh) would record the lapses of his servants during the month of Ramadan, without
telling them anything at the time. As the month would draw to its close, he would gather the servants before him and apprise them of their mistakes, forgiving them at the same time and beseeching the Lord to forgive him, even as he had forgiven them. The holy Imam, infallible (Masoom) that
he was, only sought by this practical demonstration to draw attention of his followers to the fact that
they would be accountable to God for their actions and should they desire His forgiveness, they
would have to forgive their subordinates as well. This practical lesson taught by the Imam ought to
be rigorously pursued during the month of Ramadan by the followers of the Imam.
As in this case, so in other spheres of life, our attitude to fasts ought indeed to be radically changed.
We ought to welcome fasts as a practical means of reforming ourselves rather than nearly consider
them as an inevitable religious bondage, eagerly waiting to free ourselves there from at the month
end to resume our ways of old again.
Besides of course being a means to acquiring the pleasure of God, for which all acts of devotion are
basically meant, fasting could be used as a stepping stone to build up the various traits of character
in accordance with the clear injunctions of the Qur’an itself that fasts have been prescribed with a
view to developing piety in man.
In the hurry and bustle of the present day life, man often finds himself ill-equipped to battle through
life’s odds if he is not equipped with the proper attitude to face the various problems. While we find
ourselves frustrated or look to other directions in such difficulties, we have most unfortunately
overlooked the character building force that the fasts provide us every year.
Ramadan is a month of fasting and prayers for the Muslims. The fast consists of total abstinence
from food and drink from dawn to dusk. There is however, a greater significance to fasts than mere
abstinence from eating and drinking. The real objective of fasts is to inculcate in man the spirit of
abstinence from sins, and cultivation of virtue. Thus the Qur’an declares that the fasts have been
prescribed with a view to developing piety in man. How are the many facets of piety sought to be
cultivated through fasts? This article tries to list as concisely as possible; the various benefits the
fasts would confer upon Muslims.
01.The most important consideration in undertaking a fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek
nearness to God, and seek His pleasure and Forgiveness. This itself generates a spirit of piety in
man.
02.Creating the conditions of hunger and thirst for oneself, simply in obedience to the Divine order, measures the faith of man in God and helps strengthen it by putting it to a severe test.
03.Fasting enhances through creation of artificial non-availability, the value of the bounties of God
which man often takes for granted. This inculcates in man a spirit of gratitude and consequent devotion to God. Nothing else can bring home to a man the worth of God’s bounties than a glass of water
and a square meal after a day long fast. This also reminds man that the real joy in enjoying God’s
bounties lies in moderation and restraint and not in over indulging.
04.Fasting makes us deeply conscious of the pangs of hunger and discomfort suffered by the less
fortunate among our brethren. They have to put up with difficult conditions all through their lives.
It thus kindles in man a spirit of sacrifice leading to change towards his suffering brethren.
05.Fasting gives man an unfailing training in endurance, a spirit of acceptance. This could well prepare him to put up with the unchangeable situations in life in the same spirit of resignation as cultivated during the fasts.
06.Fasting develops courage, fortitude, and a fighting spirit in man to surmount the heavy odds in
life with a cool and tranquil mind. It sharpens his power of concentration to overcome obstacles
through a vigorous exercise all throughout the month, leading to a steeling of his will power and
resolve that could help him in challenging situations in life. It is seen than many an undesirable
habit which is difficult to give up, is more easily given up during the days of fasting.
07.Fasting teaches man reliance on God, and confidence in Him. Just as the vigorous state of fasting for a whole month is undertaken with His assistance, bitter situations in life could also be surmounted with His help.
08.Fasting develops a spirit of patience in man, with the realization that the days of fasting, though
seemingly unending, do have a successful and happy end. Thus is life. All bitter situations pass, and
come to an end.
09.Fasting is meant to conquer anger and develop self-control in man. The vigorous effort required
to put up with hunger and thirst can well be extended to conquer other infirmities of human character that lead man into error and sin.
10.Fasting inculcates a spirit of tolerance in man to face unpleasant conditions and situations without making his fellow beings the victim of his wrath. Many people, when facing discomfort and deprivation, become irritable and annoyed. This anger is then vented on those around them. Fasting
helps a man become more tolerant despite his own discomfort.
11.Fasting mellows a man and enhances his character, giving a jolt to the human instincts of pride,
haughtiness, jealousy and ambition. Fasting softens his character, and clears his heart and mind of
many negative emotions.
12.Fasting exposes the weakness of man in the event of his being deprived of two basic bounties of
God; food and drink. It infuses into him a spirit of weakness and submission, generating humility
and prayer in an otherwise arrogant being.
13.Fasting breathes the spirit of forgiveness in man towards others, as he seeks God’s forgiveness
through fasts and prayers.
14.Fasting gives lessons in punctuality. Man has to adhere to a strict schedule of time in the observance of the fast.
15.Fasting could affect the economy of the individual as he is less wasteful on food and meals.
16.Fasting demands a rigid sense of discipline, mental, spiritual and physical. This forms characteristics which are an essential ingredient to success in life.
17.Fasting creates spiritual reformation in man, infusing him with a spirit of enthusiasm and zest
to change and become a better human being in the eyes of God. This is an excellent opportunity,
given to believers each year, to change themselves and consequently their destinies.
18.On the physical side, fasting cleanses the human system of the accumulated impurities of uninterrupted eating throughout the year. It prepares the body to face diseases or conditions of scarcity. The rigid abstinence of a fast regulates man's health, sharpens his intellect and enhances the
qualities of his heart.
Fasting is thus a bounty in itself, encompassing within itself many bounties. It instills a spirit of reformation in man, creating a wide awakening in him to fulfill his duties towards God and man, and
towards himself.
(Adapted from an article by Marhum Ahmed Sheriff Dewji, published in the Light Magazine)

Things To Do In Ramzan

1. Sitting after Fajr remembering Allah until sunrise:
“Whoever prays fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays 2 rakats of salat has a complete reward of (Nafil) Hajj and Umrah. (The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) repeated the word ‘complete’ 3 times for emphasis) [Tirmidhi]

2. A house in Jannah for praying 12 Sunnah each day:
“Allah will build house in Jannah for whoever is diligent in obsering 12 sunnah rakat (as follows) 4 rakat before and 2 after Dhur, 2 after the Maghrib, 2 after Ishaa, and 2 before Fajr.” [Tirmidhi]

3. Attending lectures in the Masjid.
“Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj”[Tabarani]...men only.

4. Visiting a sick Muslim.
“There is no Muslim who visits a sick muslim early in the morning but 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in paradise.” [Tirmidhi]

5. Providing food for breaking the fast.
“Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast for a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]

6. Standing in prayer on Laylatul Qadr.
“Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.” [Quran 97:3]
So it is, superior to approx 83 years of worship! Subhaanallah most do not even live for that long!

7. Millions of Good deeds remembering Allah whilst shopping:
“Whoever enters a market and says:
‘Laa ilaha illallah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumeetu wa huwa hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khair, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadeer’

[There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion and praise, He causes life and feath and He is the Living and does not die. In His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent] … Allah will write for him/her a million good deeds and erase a million bad deeds and raise him a million levels.” [Tirmidhi]

8. That Which Shall Have no Equal on the Day of Resurrection:
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:”
Whoever says one hundred times in a day:
“La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,”

{”None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)”,}

he will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” [Bukhari,Book #75, Hadith #412]

9. Asking Allah to forgive ALL Muslims.
“Whoever seeks forgiveness for beleiving men and believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman.” [Tabarani]

That is a reward for EVERY believer we make dua for. Since it is Ramadan then we get 70 good deeds for every believer we make dua for. So for simple dua taking a few seconds will give us BILLIONS of good deeds! Subhaanallah!
10. Forgiveness like the foam of the sea:
- Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ‘Whoever says: Subhanallah wa bi hamdih (Praise and glory be to Allah)
100 times, morning and evening, his sins will be erased even if they are like the foam on the sea.” [Bukhari]

- Jaa’bir (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
“For the person who recites: SUB-HAN’ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM’DIHI, (Pure and perfect is Allah in his glory and praise) –
A date palm will be planted for him in Paradise” [Tirmidhi]

11. Thousand Good deeds in 2 Minutes
If a person says “Subhanallah” (glory be to Allah) 100 times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. [Muslim]

12. Being pleased on the Day of Resurrection:
Allah has promised that anyone who says this three times every morning or evening will be pleased on the Day of Resurrection:
“رَضِيتُ باللهِ رَبَّاً، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِيناً، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَى اللهُ عَلِيهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَبِيَّاً”.
Radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bil-’Islaami deenan, wa bi-Muhammadin (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) Nabiyyan.
I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as my Prophet. [Fortress of the Muslim]

13. Reciting three phrases heavy on the scales:
Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith reported: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there and said,”Are you still in the same position as I left you.” I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I recited four phrases three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. These are:
Subhan-Allah wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida-a nafsihi, wa zinatah ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi
{Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise).” [Muslim]

14. A Rare treasure of Paradise:
Abu Dharr (RA) narrated that Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Should I not tell you of one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise?” I replied spontaneously “Oh Rasulallah that would be an honour indeed!” Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) said: “That rare treasure is: LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH.”
(“The strength to do good and to refrain from evil comes from the grace and mercy of Allah!”) [Ibn Majah]

15. Beautiful Supplication for Forgiveness:
Shaddad bin Aus (RA) narrates that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
“The best supplication for seeking forgiveness (Syed-ul-Istighfar) is to say:
`Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana `abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, a`udhu bika min sharri ma sana`tu, abu‘u laka bini`matika `alayya, wa abu‘u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta.
(O Allah! You are my Rubb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon).’
He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening), he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah; and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah.” [Al-Bukhari].