Basic Mistakes Muslims Make When Paying Zakat Al-Fitr
Ibn Umar (R.A) reported that: the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam), made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa (a measurement) of dried dates or one Saa of barley. [Sahih Bukhari – Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, H # 579]
Mistake #1: Paying at Eid ‘Salah’
Some people go to Eid Prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that they have paid their ‘Zakat-Ul- Fitr’ No! Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the hands of the needy family before Eid Prayer. If someone goes to Eid Prayer and pays, then it is guaranteed that the money will not arrive on time.
Mistake #2: Snail Mailing the money overseas [basic principle as before]
The Zakat al-Fitr, food, must be in the hands of the needy before Eid prayer. One cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after Eid Prayer is over. However, if one can get the Zakat al-Fitr to the needy overseas before Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then In Sha Allah it’s alright.
Mistake #3: Not Paying
Yes, as simple as this error is, it is to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. Everyone must pay Zakat Al-Fitr, for every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in your house, ‘Zakat Al-Fitr’ must be paid X 8, even if the youngest member is just a few days old.
Mistake #4: Confusing Zakat Al-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal
We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). ‘Zakat Al-Maal’ (‘Maal’ literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on one’s money, etc. and that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.
Mistake #5: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project
Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a charitable building project: like the building of a ‘Masjid’, or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the ‘Quran’ are humans, not “building projects”.
Mistake #6: Giving Zakat Al-Fitr to non-Muslims
Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakah Al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the Muslim poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street.“Regular” charity can be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.
Mistake #7:Delaying distribution
Sometimes ‘Masjids’ might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.