Ramadan: Respite As Poor Muslims Struggle To Pay Zakatul-Fitr

The 2024 Ramadan fast across the globe will come to an end on Tuesday , depending on the sighting of the new crescent by the appropriate authorities.

After the moon is sighted on Tuesday, the 30th day of Ramadan, Muslim faithful will end the whole month’s spiritual exercise and observe Eid-el-Fitr on Wednesday.
However, as Muslims prepare for Eid-el-Fitr, they are conscious of another religious obligation – the payment of Zakatul-Fitr.

Paying Zakatul-Fitr is compulsory and mandatory for all the fasting Muslims to perfect their Ramadan fast. And it must be done latest in the morning of Eid- el- Fitr ( before the observance of the two- rakah prayer at Eid praying ground) for it to be accepted by Allah.

The responsibility of paying Zakatul-Fitr squarely rests on the head of a family. This obligatory duty is done with four measurements of grains or the staple food in a given community. The head of the family will take responsibility of giving out four measurements of grains per each member of his family to the poor neighbour or the needy.

However, I observed that most residents of Ilorin, Kwara State are struggling to get means to observe the Zakatul-Fitr because of the excruciating economic challenges.

A Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Badmus Yusuf proffered a solution for the poor who are fasting. Yusuf, who is the chief Imam of Hilal Crescent Jumma’at Mosque, off Offa road extension, G.R.A, Ilorin, said the poor fasting Muslims can defer the payment of Zakatul Fitr.
He said, though, payment of Zakatul Fitr is compulsory on fasting Muslims and their dependents, the poor can pay it at a later date.

“Poor fasting Muslims can pay back Zakatul-Fitr whenever they are able. He or she should not take loan or cooperative unless there’s assurance of paying back in due course,” Yusuf stated.
The Imam of Issa- Elelu Central Mosque, Murtala Mohammed road, Ilorin, Ustaz Abubakar Aliy- Kamal urged Muslims to obey Allah’s commandment by giving out zakatul-fitr.

“Zakatul-fitr is compulsory and must be done before going to Eid to observe the two – rakah prayer. But, given the economic situation of the country, zakatul-fitr can be given out in cash to enable the needy and the poor buy foodstuff of their choices.