The minimum amount of Sadqa-e-Fitr, an obligatory charitable donation that devout Muslims are required to pay during the holy month of Ramadan, has been fixed at Rs. 320 per person for the current year, announced eminent religious scholar and former Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairman Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman. This rate is based on the prices of staple foods such as flour, dates, raisins, cheese, or barley, as per the Islamic Shariah.
The importance of Sadqa-e-Fitr lies in helping the poor and needy people in society, especially during the festive occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. This act helps the poor and needy during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr and is a way for devout Muslims to give back to their community and earn blessings from Allah Almighty.
According to Mufti Muneeb, the market price of 2.25 kilograms of flour determines the amount for Fitrana, which is calculated at Rs. 320 per head. Devout Muslims who want to pay Fitrana equal to the price of barley and dates should pay a minimum of Rs. 480 and Rs. 2,800 per head, respectively.
Similarly, devout Muslims who want to pay Fitrana at the rate of raisins should pay Rs. 6,400 per head for first-class dates and Rs. 4,800 per person for second-class raisins.
A devout Muslim who possesses excess food must pay Sadqa-e-Fitr before the Eid prayers. If the person is a breadwinner, they should also pay Sadqa-e-Fitr for their dependents, such as their spouse, children, dependent relatives, or servants.
Mufti Muneeb also advised people to pay the amount to the poor before Eid-ul-Fitr so that they too could celebrate the festival. The most deserving people for Sadqa-e-Fitr are close relatives, followed by neighbors and the poor.
Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman said the real spirit of Fitr and Fidya is providing a two-time meal to a destitute person, so it is better to pay the meal cost of a hotel. However, those who are wealthier should try to pay more to extend assistance to the poor in this time of skyrocketing inflation.
If anyone has been unable to fast for the whole month of Ramadan, they must pay the whole month’s compensation worth Rs. 9,600 for wheat, Rs. 14,400 for barley, Rs. 84,000 for dates, Rs. 192,000 for first-class raisins, and Rs. 144,000 for second-class raisins, in proportion to the current market price.
Similarly, Kufara (compensation) for leaving 30 fasts in wheat would be Rs. 19,200, for barley, Rs. 28,800, for dates, Rs. 168,000, for first-class raisins, Rs. 384,000, and for second-class raisins, Rs. 288,000. Kufara in wheat would be Rs. 3,200, in barley, Rs. 4,800, in dates, Rs. 28,000, in first-class raisins, Rs. 64,000, and in second-class raisins, Rs. 48,000.
Overall, this announcement by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman serves as a reminder to devout Muslims of their religious obligation to help the less fortunate during Ramadan and to provide for those in need during the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. It is hoped that this charitable act is carried out by the Muslims across the country.
