5 Rules of Zakat Al Fitr Based on the Quran

Zakat Al Fitr is a kind of beneficence that was paid by Muslims during Ramadhan as an obligatory rule that mentions so many times in the Quran. Since it is mandatory for Muslims that comes in the provision of the Islamic law, pay for the Zakat Al Fitri means a responsible payment for Muslims once a year.

Basic rules of payment the Zakat Al Fitri starts from the first day on Ramadhan until the end of Ramadhan. Commonly, Muslims start to pay in around the end of Ramadhan as their values of the last ten days of Ramadhan which the Zakat staff in the mosque start collecting them.

Speaking of Zakat Al Fitr, this time we will bring you into some of the rules of Zakat Al Fitr that you should know based on the Quran. Check them out below!

1. Basic Rules

The basic rules of the payment of Zakat Al Fitr mention so many times in the Quran as the Zakat is a kind of charity practice from Islam. Since it is a kind of alms obligatory, Muslims should obey the rule so that Allah may giving them His mercy and gratitude.

One of the verse on the Quran that mentions the rule of Zakat Al Fitr written on the Quran surah Al Baqarah verse 43 below.

وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَارْكَعُوْا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِيْنَ – ٤٣

“And do the prayers, pay zakat, and bow with those who are bowing.” (QS 2:43)

Based on the verse above here is the basic rule of Zakat Al Fitr such as they should be a  Muslim, have a free life, not under slavery, meet the times which is during Ramadhan and the first of Syawal, and have enough wealth.

2. Who Should Pay?

For so many years, Muslims believe that every Muslim should pay the Zakat Al Fitr whether they are rich or poor, adult, young, old, and even children so that they get some of the benefits of obeying parents in Islam. There is a rule for the who should pay since it is obligatory from the Islamic rule mentions in the Quran.

It mentions on the Quran surah Al Muzzammil verse 20 below as one of the benefits and virtues of surah Muzzammil.

اِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ اَنَّكَ تَقُوْمُ اَدْنٰى مِنْ ثُلُثَيِ الَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهٗ وَثُلُثَهٗ وَطَاۤىِٕفَةٌ مِّنَ الَّذِيْنَ مَعَكَۗ وَاللّٰهُ يُقَدِّرُ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَۗ عَلِمَ اَنْ لَّنْ تُحْصُوْهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْرَءُوْا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْاٰنِۗ عَلِمَ اَنْ سَيَكُوْنُ مِنْكُمْ مَّرْضٰىۙ وَاٰخَرُوْنَ يَضْرِبُوْنَ فِى الْاَرْضِ يَبْتَغُوْنَ مِنْ فَضْلِ اللّٰهِ ۙوَاٰخَرُوْنَ يُقَاتِلُوْنَ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ ۖفَاقْرَءُوْا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُۙ وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَاَقْرِضُوا اللّٰهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًاۗ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوْا لِاَنْفُسِكُمْ مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوْهُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ ۙهُوَ خَيْرًا وَّاَعْظَمَ اَجْرًاۗ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ ࣖ – ٢٠

“Surely your Lord knows that you (Muhammad) stand (pray) less than two-thirds of the night, or half of the night or one-third, and (likewise) a class of those who are with you. Allah determines the measures of night and day. Allah knows that you cannot determine time limits, so He gives relief to you, so read what is easy (for you) from the Qur’an; He knows that there will be among you people who are sick, and others walking the earth seeking some of God’s gifts, and others are fighting in the way of Allah, then read what is easy (for you) from the Qur’an and pray, pay zakat and give loans to Allah a good loan. Whatever good you do for yourself, you will definitely get it (reward) with Allah as the best and the most rewarding reward. And ask Allah for forgiveness; indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (QS 73:20)

3. Who Should Receive?

Based on the Quran some people should receive the Zakat Al Fitr such as the needy, poor, slave, those who in debt, and the traveler towards Allah. Such as mentions in the Quran surah At Taubah verse 60 below.

 اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَاۤءِ وَالْمَسٰكِيْنِ وَالْعَامِلِيْنَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوْبُهُمْ وَفِى الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِيْنَ وَفِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيْلِۗ فَرِيْضَةً مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ۗوَاللّٰهُ عَلِيْمٌ حَكِيْمٌ – ٦٠

“In fact, zakat is only for the needy, the poor, Amil Zakat, who softens his heart (converts), for (frees) the slave, for (frees) those who are in debt, for the way of Allah, and for those who are on their way, as the duty from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (QS 9:60)

4. What Kind of Alms to Pay?

Zakat Al Fitr is a part of alms or charity that has to be paid for every Muslim. The kind of alms that they should pay based on the things of the Prophet paid is using the main of staple food such as one Sha’ of dates, barley, raisins, dried yogurt, and a half Sha’ of wheat as the important things in Zakat Al Fitr.

Indonesian commonly conversing the alms to pay the Zakat Al Fitr into rice in the amount of 2.5 kilograms. Nowadays, they even conversing them into some amount of money to make it easier.

Muslims believe as they take their wealth for Zakat Al Fitr Allah will blessing them with a pure heart with a peaceful life. It mentions on the Quran surah At Taubah verse 103.

خُذْ مِنْ اَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيْهِمْ بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْۗ اِنَّ صَلٰوتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْۗ وَاللّٰهُ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيْمٌ – ١٠٣

“Take zakat from their property, clean and purify them, and pray for them. In fact, your prayer (brings forth) peace of mind for them. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. “ (QS 9:103)

5. When You Should Pay?

The Quran mentions that Zakat Al Fitr should be pay during Ramadhan. But some scholars believe that they can pay within the end of the day of Ramadhan, the day before Ied prayer in the morning, and the first day of Syawal. Hence they can pay during those times, it is better to pay before the Ramadhan ends after Iftar time.

So, there are some of the glances about the rules of Zakat Al Fitr that you should know based on the Quran. Did you pay it properly on this Ramadhan?