ZAKATUL FITR
Three days before the expected ending of Ramadhan, Muslims pay an obligatory alms to the poor in the form of food, which is customarily given in 3 kilograms of rice and other grains.
It is reported from Prophet Muhammad,
“Prophet Muhammad has made Zakatul Fitr obligatory by paying 3 kilograms of dates or barley (or rice in our case in the Philippines as daily staple) as purification for the Muslim who fasted from sins committed during Ramadhan. It is also given as food for the poor. Whoever pays it before Salatul Eid, it shall be accepted as Zakah and whoever pays it after Salatul Eid, it shall be accepted from him only as Sadaqah or charity.” Narrated by Abu Dawud.
It is important to note here that Zakatul Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim who has observed Ramadhan or were alive during Ramadhan whether they fasted or not. It means that a person will pay Zakatul Fitr for himself and for every dependent Muslim under him such as his wife, children or even parents or workers.
Zakatul Fitr should be paid only by food and not by money or any other goods. Although scholars allow that money may be collected by collecting Muslim agencies who will in turn by rice for them and deliver the Zakatul Fitr to the worthy.
It is an act of purifying ourselves from misgiving during Ramadhan such as lying, backbiting and other sins so that we could get the best rewards we could.
Zakatul Fitr should only be given to the poor. The Miskin is someone who has only enough earnings for the day so that they will not die of hunger, while a Faqir is someone who has to beg for money in order to live. They are the only ones who deserve to receive Zakatul Fitr. It is important to note now that our brethren who are evacuees from Marawi City deserve Zakatul Fitr and it may be sent to them.
It is to be paid at least 3 days before the expected day of Eid until before Salatul Eid starts.
EIDUL FITR
Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadhan by a festivity known as Eidul Fitr. Unlike other festivities, Eidul Fitr is solemn and is done strictly according to the Shariah or Islamic Law. There is no drinking of liquor, music or dancing. Allah said in the Quran,
Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. In order that you may complete the days of fasting and that you may magnify Allah for having guided you and that you may give thanks. Quran 2: 185.
Eidul Fitr has been legislated by Allah as one of the two occasions which are allowed in Islam. The other being the Eidul Adha or the Eid of Sacrifice on the culmination of Hajj season. Muslims do not celebrate birthdays or anniversaries.
Eid comes immediately after the last day of Ramadhan which is declared by the highest religious authority in the land according to the sighting of the new moon of the next month after Ramadhan named Shawwal. Upon the sighting of the new moon, Muslims are informed that Ramadhan has ended and they prepare for the next day of festivities.
Muslims prepare for Eidul Fitr by preparing themselves to go to the Eid Prayer which is done in huge congregations in masjids or even public areas. They wear the best clothes they have for the occasion and all Muslims are expected to attend it. Male, female old and young. Even menstruating women are allowed to go to the prayer area even if they will not perform the Eid prayer just to observe.
It is an established tradition in Islam to recite Takbir by saying Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd which means, Allah is the greatest, there is no god worthy of being worshiped except Allah and all praise is to Him.
The Eid prayer is composed only of two rak’ahs just like the Jumuah prayer. It is then followed by the Khutbah or sermon of the Khatib or Imam. Upon the completion of the Eid Sermon, it is customary for Muslims to greet each other on the coming of this Eid. In the Philippines, Eidul Fitr is declared as a national holiday, so Muslims use this day to visit loved ones and even being together with the family.
Eidul Fitr is celebrated not because Muslims are happy that the blessed month of Ramadhan had ended, but they celebrate it because Allah has promised them the reward of it upon the completion of this great act of worship.
BEYOND RAMADHAN
Many people have found themselves worshipping Allah during Ramadhan and many of them sadly will return to old ways after Ramadhan. Most Muslims will again not pray or wear hijab or will even to back to vices such as drinking or gambling.
Let us not forget that Ramadhan is only a month in a year while we were created by Allah to worship Him the whole year, from morning until evening wherever we may be or whatever our mood is.
We Muslims should understand that one of the signs that our good deed is accepted by Allah is that this good deed should make us better persons upon the completion of this good deed. And this good deed should not make us complacent to think that we’ve worshiped Allah enough so that we could go back to a life of sinning.
Accomplishing great acts of worship such as fasting and praying the whole month of Ramadhan should cause us to be more humble towards Allah and recognize His power over us and recognize our own weakness and need for His mercy.
With this said, let us be better persons after this Ramadhan.
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