صدقہِ فطر

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم made Sadaqat al-Fitr obligatory as an atonement for the idle and indecent talk that may have occurred during the fast, and to provide food for the needy (the destitute)." (Abu Dawud)

After keeping the fasts of the month of Ramadan, we are commanded to give Sadaqat al-Fitr. It is obligatory upon every Muslim who possesses a day's provision. But note that Sadaqat al-Fitr should be paid before the Eid prayer, otherwise it counts as ordinary charity. However, if there is a poor person known to be in need of clothing or of some other pressing necessity, then its amount may be paid to him a few — four, five or ten — days before Eid.

It is not permissible for a Muslim to give inferior goods as Sadaqat al-Fitr, for Allah Most High says: "O you who believe! Spend from the good (lawful) things you have earned, and from what We have produced for you from the earth; and do not aim at giving what is bad, spending it in the way of Allah, when you yourselves would not take it except with your eyes closed. And know that Allah is Free of need, Worthy of all praise." (Al-Baqarah 267)

From this blessed hadith two wisdoms behind the obligation of Sadaqat al-Fitr become apparent. First, that any shortfall or weakness that appeared in the fasting person's state despite his effort during the fast is made up through Sadaqat al-Fitr — that is, whatever sin or carelessness occurred during the fast, it removes them and cleanses the one who fasted. This need applies to rich and poor alike, so that even a poor person, if he finds a little means within himself, should give Sadaqat al-Fitr to one poorer than himself. The second wisdom is that on the day when all Muslims are going out to celebrate the joy of Eid, the poor of the society should also be provided with food and drink, so that they too may share in the joy of Eid with contentment.