All praises be to Allah Almighty that we are in the last days of Ramadan. We are indeed left with only a few days when over a billion Muslims worldwide will be celebrating Eid Al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy month.

But before it finally comes to an end, there are still certain obligations left to fulfil, like paying zakat, fitra and celebrating Eid Al-Fitr.

Zakat is a sadaqa, which is compulsory to be given to the poor during or before the end of Ramadan. This is an obligatory charity on every able Muslim. This is beside charity known as fitra that is given to those less fortunate so “they can enjoy time with their families too.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) enjoined the payment of one Sa’a of dates or one Sa’a of barley as zakat on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave. (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Sa’a is a volume measure corresponding approximately to the volume of 5 lb of good wheat.
Ibn Mundhir said: “There is a consensus on all whom we have taken knowledge from that Zakat Al-Fitr is compulsory.”

As the Hadith above indicated, the amount of zakat is one Sa’a. Zakat can be given in the form or dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn, or similar items considered as basic foods.

“We used to give for Zakaat Al-Fitr one Sa’a of food, or one Sa’a of dried yogurt, or one Sa’a of barley, or one Sa’a of dates, or one Sa’a of raisins.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Today, people generally find it easier to give money to the poor in many cases and thus it is accepted whereas in the past grains were preferred.

Also, zakat has to be paid by the end of Ramadan either one or two days before Eid, as Omar ibn Khattab (may Allah bless him) used to do, or before the Eid prayer.

Ibn Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined zakat on the one who fasts to shield him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. If one pays zakat before the (Eid) prayer, it is considered an accepted zakat; if he pays it after the prayer, it is considered an ordinary charity.” (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

The purpose of zakat is to purify the one who has fasted from any type of indecent act or speech he might have committed while fasting. It also helps the poor and the needy.

This year like previous years we are witnessing the suffering of our Muslim brothers and sisters across the globe and so we would like them at least to have a day in which they would have something to eat and drink.

Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest celebration of the Muslim faith, marked by a day of brotherhood, eating sweet food and dressing up. It falls on the first day of shawaal, the 10th month of the Muslim year.
Muslims feel sad at the departure of Ramadan, they celebrate Eid for having successfully achieved Ramadan’s purpose.

Eid is for sharing, happiness and celebration all around. Milky dish treats shared with family and relatives,

Traditional Eid activities differ from culture to country, however the first and foremost is an offering of early morning Eid prayers.

Prayers promotes a brotherhood, therefore they are offered with rich and poor standing side by side.

(Courtesy: http://www.arabnews.com)