Sadaqat al-Fitr
The wisdom in Sadaqat al-Fitr (Fitrana) is that it cleanses one's
fasting from shameless talk and the foul acts of indecency as it rids the
poor of the need to beg on the day of Eid.
Hadrat Ibn Abbas (R.A) states, “To purify one's fasting from shameless talk and indecency and to provide the poor with food, the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) stated the importance of Sadaqat al-Fitr. Thus whoever pays Sadaqat al-Fitr before Eid prayer it is Zakaat worthy of acceptance. And whoever pays Sadaqat al-Fitr after Eid prayer his Sadaqat is like ordinary Sadaqat”. (Ibn Maajah)
Sayyidina Jarir (R.A) narrates that the Prophet (S.A.W) said: “The fasts of the month of Ramadaan remain suspended between heaven and earth and only through Sadaqat al-Fitr they are raised to heaven.” (That is, the Fasts are accepted only after Sadaqat al-Fitr is paid.) (Abu Hafs)
Hadrat Ibn Umar (R.A) narrates: The Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) stated Sadaqat al-Fitr to be Wajib (Compulsory). He (S.A.W) said, “The Fast of Ramadan remains suspended between the earth and the sky and it is only Sadaqat al-Fitr that takes it up”.
The Ruling on Sadaqat al-Fitr
Sadaqat al-Fitr is Wajib on every Muslim who, after the requirements of his fundamental needs, is the owner of Nisaab (Wealth), irrespective of whether a year has passed or not (on his ownership of the Nisaab). Such a person must give Sadaqat al-Fitr on his own behalf, on behalf of his minor children (no matter how young) and the slaves in his service.
The time for when Sadaqat al-Fitr becomes Wajib is the time of the dawn (Fajr Saadiq) on the day of Eid al-Fitr. Sadaqat al-Fitr is not Wajib on the person who dies before this time. Similarly the person who is born or accepts Islam after this time, Sadaqat al-Fitr is not Wajib upon him for that year.
It is Mustahab (Desirable) that people should pay Sadaqat al-Fitr before setting off for Eid prayer on the day of Eid al-Fitr. It is permissible to pay Sadaqat al-Fitr before the day of Eid al-Fitr. If people do not pay it on Eid day they will still have to pay it afterwards, the responsibility does not drop.
The Amount of Sadaqat al-Fitr
The amount of Sadaqat al-Fitr is about one Saa' of wheat or one Saa' of dates, barley or Fig. This is equivelent to about 2.5 kilos in weight nowadays. It is permissible to give the monetary equivalent of these commodities. However it is better to pay it in cash for this is more beneficial for the poor.