Ruling on Zakat-ul-Fitr

A: Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim who should be self-supporting, if he has one Sa‘ (1 Sa‘ = 3 kg. Approx.) or more in excess of his and his family’s needs on the day and night of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast). This is based on the Hadith authentically reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined the payment of one Sa‘ of dates or one Sa‘ of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr for every slave or free person, male or female, young or old Muslim, and he ordered that it should be paid before the people go out to offer ‘Eid Prayer. (Part No. 9; Page No. 365) (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the wording is that of Al-Bukhari) Moreover, Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said: We used to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr as one Sa‘ of food, or one Sa‘ of dried dates, or one Sa‘ of barley, or one Sa‘ of raisins, or one Sa‘ of curd during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) A Sa‘ of staple food, such as rice and the like, will also suffice to discharge the obligation. Sa‘ here means the Sa‘ of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), which is four handfuls scooped up with the two hands of an averagely built man. Accordingly, a person who does not pay Zakat-ul-Fitr is sinful and has to make up for it. With regard to the Hadith you have mentioned, we know do not know it to be authentic.We ask Allah to guide you and to correct our words and deeds.May Allah grant us success. May blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.