Zakat-Ul-Fitr: Nigerian Islamic Clerics Emphasise Proper Calculation, Timely Payment
As Muslims across Nigeria prepare to mark the end of Ramadan, prominent Islamic clerics have reiterated the importance of Zakat-Ul-Fitr, urging faithfuls to ensure accurate calculation and timely payment.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Zakat-Ul-Fitr, also known as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, is a mandatory charity given by Muslims at the end of Ramadan to purify their fasting and help the less privileged participate in the Eid celebrations.
In an interview with OSUN DEFENDER, Sheikh Mutiu Uthman, the director of Rawdatut-Tanzeel Tahfeez Arabic School in Ile Ife, Osun state emphasised that Zakat-Al-Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim, regardless of age or gender.
He noted that the essence of the charity is to cleanse the fasting individual of any shortcomings and provide for the needy.
“Zakat-Al-Fitr is not optional. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) instructed that it must be paid before the Eid prayer, otherwise it counts only as ordinary charity. It purifies the fasting person and brings joy to the less privileged,” he explained.
On the proper calculation of Zakat-Al-Fitr, he highlighted that the most authentic measure remains one sa’a (an Islamic measurement equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 3 kilograms) of staple food such as rice, beans, or maize.
“It must be a staple food commonly consumed in the community. If you choose rice, it should be of good quality, not the type you won’t eat yourself,” he added.
He further clarified that monetary equivalents are permissible in many parts of the Muslim world, including Nigeria, as long as the value corresponds to the staple food’s worth.
Echoing similar sentiments, Ustadh AbdulRasheed Yusuf, another prominent Islamic preacher in Ile Ife, stressed that the timing of the payment is as critical as its calculation.
“The best time to pay Zakat-Al-Fitr is after Fajr (early morning) on Eid day but before the Eid prayer. If paid after the prayer, it becomes ordinary charity,” he said.
He urged Muslims to give with sincerity, ensuring that the charity reaches those genuinely in need.
Addressing common misconceptions, Ustadh Yusuf warned against procrastination, stating that Zakat-Al-Fitr is invalid if delayed beyond the stipulated time without a valid reason.
“We see cases where some people pay it a day or two after Eid; that is wrong. The purpose is defeated because the poor need it before the celebration, not after,” he said.
Both clerics advised the Muslim community to involve credible organisations or local mosque committees in distributing Zakat-Al-Fitr to avoid mismanagement.
They stressed that the recipients should primarily be the poor and needy, as stated in Islamic jurisprudence.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
