Significance of Eid al-Fitr

SIGNIFICANCE OF EID AL-FITR mankind. It should also not be forgotten that real happiness lies in sharing with others the bounties that God has given us. It is incumbent on us to give alms (sadaqah fitr) on this festival. In this sense Zakat al-Fitr is specifically related to the month of fasting and is given before the Eid prayer. According to a Hadith reported by Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory for the fasting person to keep him from idle talk and indecent conversation and to provide food for the needy. Discharging the duty before the prayer is an accepted Zakat while discharging it after the prayer is just sadaqah (voluntary charity). (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 1609) Zakat al-Fitr perfects the fast of Ramadan and purifies the fast of any indecent act or speech. Every Muslim: young, old, male and female who possesses over and above what is needed as basic food for the duration of one day and night must pay Zakat al-Fitr for himself and his dependents and distribute it amongst the poor and needy.