How should it be
given?
Items other than food such as money,
clothes, furniture, etc. cannot be given as Zakat al-fitr. because it is
contrary to what the Prophet commanded and what Allah wants. The Prophet (S)
said, "Whoever introduces anything in this matter (deen) of ours will have
it rejected." [Bukhaaree Vol 3 no. 861. Muslim no.4266, Abu Daawood
no.4589]
Paying Zakaat ul-Fitr is an act of worship, and through
the Quran and authentic Sunnah all acts of worship are described. Therefore, to
add, subtract, or alter any act of worship is a bida'h. Thus, paying zakaah
al-fitr by other than food is a bida'h and every bid'ah eventually leads to the
fire [see Abu Daawood no. 4590].
Not giving money for fitr is as Sunnah at-Turkeeyah (An
action, the abandonment of which is a Prophetic Sunnah). Money existed and was
prevalent in the Prophet's time but he did not nor did the Companions or
Taabi'oon (followers of the Companions) use any money for Fitr. For sure the
Prophet (S) was, is, and always will be the best of worshippers and the
Companions and Taabi'oon are the best of generations in understanding and
practicing Islaam [See Soorah's 4:115 and 3:110, Bukhaaree Vol 3 and 5, Abu
Daawood no.4586]. So if he and they did not use money for Sadaqah al-Fitr why
should any one else???
18. DOES RAMADAAN END WITH EED AL-FITR?
Most assuredly you would get a "yes" answer
from every Muslim you ask as towhether Ramadaan ends with 'Eed Al-Fitr.
Concerning the injunctions for abstaining from food, drink and sexual contact
with our spouses during the daytime, these could be easily ascertained from the
Quraan and the Hadeeth. However,when we investigate some of the reasons that
make the Ramadhaan such a great blessing, we will see that its lessons should be
with us every day of the year.
First of all, the fact that we spend from dawn to sunset
denying ourselves the normal needs and pleasures of this world builds within us
fortitude and self-discipline. This will enable us to develop the most prized
virtue of patience (if Allaah wills). Allaah (T) tells us:
{O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance
and prayer: ForAllaah is with those who patiently persevere} [Baqarah 2:153]
By keeping in mind that we are complying with the
commandments of Allaah (T) we will remind ourselves of our purpose in seeking
Allaah's Pleasure. Ramadaan helps to reinforce our need to be constantly
conscious of obeying Allaah (T) and be mindful of the fact that His guidance is
the greatest mercy. Allaah (T) tells us:
{O mankind! There has come toyou a direction from your
Lord and a healing for the disease in your hearts, and a guidance and a mercy
for those who believe. Say: In the Bounty of Allaah and in His Mercy: In that
let themtejoice. that is better than (the wealth) they hoard} [Yoonus 10:57-58]
Through Ramadaan we not only realize that obeying Allaah
(T) is the greatest joy, but we live and experience this obedience in a more
acute sense as we restrain our desires during the course of the days of this
blessed month. Obeying Allaah (T) with love and humility, which is the essence
of worship, become the focal point of our lives. For that reason when asked
about the end of Ramadaan, we can see that its spirit never really ends as this
should be our attitude relative to worship of Allaah throughout the year. We
realize that it is just one more stepping stone, a large one indeed, on the path
of Islaam, which is instituted to assist us to achieve our purpose here in this
life. Thus does Ramadaan by nurturing the virtues of patience, focusing our
vision on the Guidance and the Mercy of Allaah(T) and fine-tuning our will to
obey Him, instill in us the quality of character needed to truly strive in the
Cause of Allaah. This striving in the Cause ofAllaah (T), or Jihaad, encompasses
every aspect of our lives and is the highest achievement in a Muslim's life.
Allaah (T) informs us:
{Those who believe, suffer exile and strive with might
and main, in Allaah 's cause with their goods and their souls,have the highest
ranks in the sight of Allaah. They are the people who will achieve (salvation).}
[Tawbah 9:20]