Zakat Al Fitr: How, Where and When to Give
**Zakat al-Fitr is a specific charity tied to the month of Ramadan. Below Shaykh Faiyaz Jaffer and Imam Khalild Latif offer insight on Zakat al-Fitr as per the Shia and Sunni traditions respectively.
The IC will be referring its members to assist local families in our community who are in need through the Zakat Fund of NYC at https://www.launchgood.com/ZakatNYC for your zakat al-fitr distibution.**
Imam Khalid Latif on Zakat al-Fitr according to the Sunni Tradition - $12/person
Zakat al-Fitr is an obligatory charity a person gives upon the completion of Ramadan for his or herself if single, and if not, for their spouses, children and family members under their care. Its purpose is to bring relief to the underserved and to purify the person who gives it of any mistakes incurred while fasting.
Imam al-Waq said, Zakat al-Fitr amends the mistakes made while fasting, as the two prostrations at the end of prayer amend the mistakes made while praying.
While it is commendable to give Zakat al-Fitr the morning of Eid, it is acceptable to give it a few days before to ease institutional stress, and to ensure it reaches those in need by Eid day. The recommended cash donation is based on the measurements established by Prophet (sa) for barley and rice. Today those measurements equal ~ twelve dollars/per dependent in your family, IE spouse, children, other family members under your care, etc. If a person wants to give more, it is good, especially in cities where costs are higher.
Shaykh Faiyaz Jaffer on Zakat al-Fitr according to the Shia Tradition - $12/person
Zakat al-Fitrah is an obligatory tax on the individual who is sane, an adult (physically mature), and financially capable. This type of Zakat should be set aside on the eve of Eid al-Fitr and be paid on the day itself, which marks the first day of the month of Shawwal. It may also be paid earlier to a delegated person/organization, who will take the appropriate steps to distribute it during the obligated time period.
The sum must be paid on a persons behalf as well as on behalf of all those who are his dependents. This would also include any guests who are staying overnight during the eve of Eid al-Fitr, under the care of the person. (For instance, I will pay on behalf of myself, my wife, and my two children, and any guest who stay at my home on the night of Eid until the morning).
For every individual, the minimum given must be enough to feed one miskeen (needy person), which is the equivalent of 6.6 pounds of a popular basic food commodity such as rice or wheat (flour), as opposed to a cooked full meal. Therefore, the Dollar amount given is the estimated equivalent value of 6.6 pounds of the basic food commodity. On the day of Eid, the zakat will be distributed to the poor.
Please note that a Sayyid (an individual who can trace back their ancestry to the Prophet) must only give Zakat al-Fitra to another Sayyid who is in need.
You can do so at this link.