Setting the minimum Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya at Rs 300 per person, with the rich being asked to pay according to their means
A file photo of renowned religious scholar and former Chairman of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman.
Renowned religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman on Saturday announced the minimum amounts for Zakat al-Fitr (alms), Fidya (compensation for missed fast) and Kaffara (penalty) for fasting.
According to his statement, the minimum amount for Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya has been set at Rs 300 per person, while those with financial means have been encouraged to pay according to their capabilities.
He said the minimum rates for Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya vary depending on the food product. For two kilograms of stone-ground wheat flour, the amount is Rs300; for 4kg of barley, it is Rs1,160; for 4kg of dates, 2,800 Rs; and for 4 kg of premium raisins, Rs7,200.
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Regarding Kaffara, which is the atonement for deliberately breaking the fast, he explained that it requires giving two meals each to 60 people in need. The minimum cost varies from Rs 18,000 for wheat flour, Rs 69,600 for barley and Rs 168,000 for dates, while the amount for raisins varies depending on market prices and quality.
He stressed that these amounts represent minimum thresholds and were intended to guide those who have more financial means to give according to their abilities, citing the Koranic injunction: “And he who voluntarily gives more, it is better for him. »
He further clarified that Fidya is intended for chronic patients or extremely elderly people who are unable to fast and show no signs of recovery, while temporary patients or travelers who miss fasting due to illness or travel must make up their fast later, as Fidya does not replace such missed fasts.
He also said that if a person breaks a fast without a valid reason, Kaffara applies, which involves fasting for 60 consecutive days in addition to making up the missed fast, or paying a financial Kaffara if fasting is not possible.
It noted that market prices for listed items fluctuate and variations in quality may affect exact quantities.
What is Fidya?
Fidya is a form of charity for Muslims who cannot fast for reasons such as illness, old age, pregnancy, breastfeeding or any other condition that permanently prevents them from fasting. Instead of making up missed fasts, these individuals can pay Fidya to feed a poor person for each missed fast. The concept of Fidya is described in the Holy Quran.
When to pay Fidya
Fidya can be paid in the form of food or money, depending on personal circumstances and available resources. It can be paid before or during Ramadan, but is preferably paid before Eidul Fitr, which marks the end of the month of fasting. Fidya can be paid online through various Islamic charity websites or offline through local mosques or Islamic organizations.
Who should pay Fitrana?
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory for all Muslims, whether or not they are required to pay regular zakat. If a person owes zakat or has wealth beyond basic needs (such as house, clothing and household items) equal to or above the Nisab threshold, he or she must pay Zakat al-Fitr.
This applies regardless of whether the wealth comes from business assets or personal assets, and regardless of whether a full year has passed. Those who meet these criteria are required to fulfill this duty.
When to pay Fitrana
Zakat al-Fitr is specifically linked to the morning of Eidul Fitr, which begins at dawn, when the time for the Fajr prayer begins. Ideally, Fitrana should be paid before the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid.
