Al Lajnah ad Daa-imah
Question: Is this Hadeeth authentic:
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If a Muslim who is fasting is in need and does not have enough [provision] to give out Zakaat, is it Waajib (compulsory) upon him to give out Zakaatul Fitr based upon the authenticity of this Hadeeth or other authentic proofs from the Sunnah?
Answer: Zakaatul Fitr is Waajib upon every Muslim who is responsible for providing for himself if he has some provision left over for himself and his family for the day and night of ‘Eed. [He has to give out a] A Saa’, the proof for this is the established Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (ÑÖí Çááå ÚäåãÇ) that he said:
“The Messenger of Allaah (Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã) rendered it Waajib upon every free or enslaved, male or female, young or old Muslim to give out a Saa’ for Zakaatul Fitr. He ordered it to be given out before they go to Salaat [al ‘Eed].” [Collected by Bukharee and Muslim and the wording is from Al Bukharee.]
There is another Hadeeth that establishes this that is narrated on the authority of Abu Sa’eed Al Khudri (ÑÖí Çááå Úäå) that he said:
“We used to give out Zakaat al Fitr while the Messenger of Allaah (Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã) was amongst us: A Saa’ of food, dates, Sha’eer (barley/corn…), Raisins or Aqit (A dairy product).” [Collected by Bukharee and Muslim]
It is also sufficient for one to give out a Saa’ of food that is available in his locality such as rice and so on.
What is meant by a Saa’ is the Saa’ of the Prophet (Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã) which is a measure of four handfuls of an average man.
If one does not give out Zakaatul Fitr, he has fallen into sin and it is Waajib upon him to make up for it. As for the Hadeeth that you have cited then we do not know its authenticity.
We ask Allaah to grant you success as we ask Him to rectify you as well as ourselves in speech and actions. Allaah is the granter of success and may the Salaat and the Salaam be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.
