DUBAI — All Muslims — be they rich or poor, ill or well, young or old, male or female, and have fasted or not — are required to give Zakat Al Fitr, according to an eminent scholar.
“Zakat Al Fitr is a precious opportunity for all Muslims, irrespective of their financial status, to experience the ‘taste’ of giving, Chief Mufti with the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dr Sheikh Ali Mashael, told Khaleej Times.
Dr. Mashael said that most scholars agreed that Muslims prefer to pay Zakat Al Fitr, which is a compulsory charity for breaking the fast, in the place where they enjoy the first night of the month of Shawwal, which follows Ramadan.
“Expatriates are thus advised to pay Zakat Al Fitr here as it is paid for breaking the fast, rather than fasting. Should a Muslim die before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, Zakat would not be obligatory upon him even if he fasted the whole month. Conversely, if a child is born after the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, it would be mandatory to pay Zakat on his or her behalf,” he said.
“However, Zakat Al Fitr may be paid elsewhere, like home country, if paid to poor people or a needy relative. It is basically associated with Eid which is meant for supporting the poor, satisfying their needs and making them happy during Eid. Zakat is also aimed at expiating for any mistakes or wrongdoings a person may have done during the blessed month.”
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