ZAKAT: THE PRESCRIBED CHARITY

According to a Hadith reported by Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet made ZakatalFitr 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). Zakat-al-Fitr perfects the fast of Ramazan and purifies the fast of any indecent act or speech. It is obligatory on all Muslims: young, old, male and female. Every Muslim 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 dependants and distribute it amongst the poor and needy. The earlier it is given the easier it is for them to make arrangements, so that they may also take part in the celebrations of Eid without any difficulties. o Zakat is a perennial reminder that a selfish stance is a wrong stance, and that others must be given their rightful share of our earnings. Castles in the Air Those who seek to achieve high ideals, but do not wish to go through the tedium of doing extensive groundwork first, are building sandcastles that will not be able to stand the test of time.