ZAKAATUL-FITR HOW WILL YOU BE PAYING?

Ramadaan, the 9th month of the hijree calendar, is well known for 
(1) Siyaam (abstaining from food, drink, and sex ; paying extra-attention to refraining from lying, backbiting, slander, vain talk, fighting that is not for the cause of Allah, etc; and for abstinence from such things as smoking, music, movies, unnecessary television, cursing etc. from dawn to dusk and 
(2) Taraweeh: a replacement for tahajjud of multiple two-rakaat prayers that do not excceed a total of eight rakaats.

However, besides practicing more Taqwaa (Allaah-consciousness) not enjoying certain amenities of life for several hours, and being vigilant there are other acts of worship particular to Ramadaan. Most notably is Zakaat ul-Fitr, also called Sadaqah al-Fitr. Fitr means breaking a fast; zakaah is an alms-tax which literally means to purify, to grow; and sadaqah means contribution or donation. Zakaat ul-Fitr is compulsory to be paid on every Muslim.

Who should pay Zakaat ul-Fitr
Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah prescribed the Zakaat ul-Fitr on every slave, free person, male, female, young and elderly among the Muslims [Bukhaaree Vol I no.579. Muslim no. 2149, Abu Daawood no. 1608]. The head of the house hold may give the required amount for ones house. Sadaqah al-Fitr is compulsory on one even if he or she embraced Islam in the last seconds of Ramadaan.

The same applies if a woman gives birth. Conversely, If someone dies before the close of Ramadaan his or her heirs are excused from paying for the deceased.

When should it be paid?
Zakaat ul-Fitr must be paid before Salaat ul-Eed. If one misses paying it before the prayer without a good reason it is not considered Zakaah but Sadaqa (charity).

Naafi' transmitted that Ibn Umar used to pay fitr a day or two before the Eed prayer [Bukhaaree & Muslim, Abu Daawood]. Whoever pays fitr after the Eed prayer wlll not get the blessings of it because it will be rendered as regular Sadaqah [see Abu Daawood no. 1605]

It would be strongly advisable for one to pay Zakaah ul-Fitr before the prayer because it purifies the faster of idle deeds and vain talk committed during Ramadaan [Abu Daawood no. 1605] as well as providing its recipients in time for the Islamic holiday.

What is its amount?
The amount of Zakaat ul-Fitr is one saa (two handfuls/kilo/40 grams/4.5 lbs/112 oz/beaker of dates, barley, raisins, cheese, grain of wheat [see Muslim no.2151 & 2154]. Some scholars say any topic of food that is common in a particular region can be given for fitr, e.g. flour, ground beef, or milk in the United States.

How should it be given?
Items other than food such as money, clothes, furniture, etc. cannot be given as Zakat al-fitr. because it is contrary to what the Prophet commanded and what Allah wants. The Prophet (S) said, "Whoever introduces anything in this matter (deen) of ours will have it rejected." [Bukhaaree Vol 3 no. 861. Muslim no.4266, Abu Daawood no.4589]

Paying Zakaat ul-Fitr is an act of worship, and through the Quran and authentic Sunnah all acts of worship are described. Therefore, to add, subtract, or alter any act of worship is a bida'h. Thus, paying zakaah al-fitr by other than food is a bida'h and every bid'ah eventually leads to the fire [see Abu Daawood no. 4590].

Not giving money for fitr is as Sunnah at-Turkeeyah (An action, the abandonment of which is a Prophetic Sunnah). Money existed and was prevalent in the Prophet's time but he did not nor did the Companions or Taabi'oon (followers of the Companions) use any money for Fitr. For sure the Prophet (S) was, is, and always will be the best of worshippers and the Companions and Taabi'oon are the best of generations in understanding and practicing Islaam [See Soorah's 4:115 and 3:110, Bukhaaree Vol 3 and 5, Abu Daawood no.4586]. So if he and they did not use money for Sadaqah al-Fitr why should any one else???