Q1. What is the significance of fasting in the month of Shawwal? Is this based on the Qur’an and Sunnah? Please enlighten.
A1. Fasting of six days in the month of Shawwal is mentioned in a Hadith of the Prophet -peace be upon him. He said, “Whosoever fasted in Ramadan and then followed up with six fasts in Shawwal, it is like fasting every day.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm, Hadith no. 1984) The meaning is that the reward is like the reward of a person who is always in fast every day of his/her life. It is highly recommended to fast six days in Shawwal, but it is not obligatory (fard). Those who want to fast can fast after the Eidul Fitr any six days during Shawwal. It is not required to fast six days continuously without any interruption. One can fast according to convenience any time during the month and the fast is very much like the fasts of Ramadan.
Q2. My wife is pregnant. She could not fast. Could you please tell me how much the Fitra is per one fast? I live in U.S. Should I pay in dollars or Rupees? And where to pay (in Pakistan or U.S)?
A2. According to the Shari’ah, it is permissible for a pregnant woman who finds it hard or who is advised by a doctor not to fast, to postpone her Ramadan fasting. However, she has to make up the missed fasts later after delivering the baby. Fidyah (not fitra) is for those people only who are unable to fast at any time. Very old people, or those who are terminally ill and do not expect to recover after the Ramadan, they should give Fidyah. The “Fidyah” is a substitute for fasting. It is one day’s meal or its value to be given to those who are poor and needy. We estimate about $10 dollars per fast here in United States. Those who are living in United States they should pay according to the US rate and in dollars. However, the money can be given here or any other place, but it must be given to the poor and needy people.
Fitrah is a different charity, which is given at the end of Ramadan. It is mandatory for every person who has the Nisab of Zakat to give this charity also before the Eidul Fitr prayer. The head of the house has to pay on behalf of himself/herself and all his/her dependants. Its amount is now about $7 dollars per person in America.
Q3. Are we allowed to claim tax deduction on our Zakat contributions?
A3. Surely, you must report all your Zakat contributions as your charitable contributions and take all legal exemptions and deductions. Any money that may come back to you from the federal or state taxes, you should apply that to your next year’s income and pay the Zakat on it next year. There is a great reward in giving money for Zakat, but there is no blessing in giving extra money to IRS.
Q4. Are we allowed to help our relatives with the Zakat money? Do we have to inform them if we help them with the Zakat? Some relatives feel embarrassed to receive Zakat charity and we also feel shy to tell them that we are helping them with Zakat charity. Please advise.
A4. It is permissible to give Zakat to the needy relatives. The relatives to whom Zakat cannot be given are wife, children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. It is one’s duty to take care of them first and then if there is any money left and it reached the Nisab of Zakat, then one should give Zakat on that amount. Thus all non-dependant relatives such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces etc. can receive the Zakat if they are poor and need help. The person who gives the Zakat must make an intention that the amount he/she is giving is for the purpose of Zakat. The recipient does not have to be informed about it. It is better to give charity to an individual in a respectful manner without hurting his/her dignity. Allah says in the Qur’an,
“If you disclose your charity, it is well, but if you conceal it and make it reach to those who are in need that is best for you. It will remove from you some of your sins and Allah is well-acquainted with what you do.” (Al-Baqarah 2:271)
Q5. Can Zakat be given in advance if need be? Can one give next year’s Zakat to some deserving person in the previous year and be absolved for the next year?
A5. It is permissible to pay the Zakat in advance. It is reported in by Imam al-Tirmidhi as well as Abu Da’ud, Ibn Majah and al-Darmi that Sayyidna ‘Ali -may Allah be pleased with him- asked the Prophet -peace be upon him- about this and he gave him permission to pay the Zakat in advance. Before giving the Zakat in advance one must make a Niyah (intention) that it is next year’s Zakat. The intention is necessary otherwise it will be a charity (sadaqah) and one has to give the Zakat on its time again. The Zakat still has to be calculated at the end of the year. If the amount paid was less than what was owed then the balance must be paid to fulfill the obligation. If the amount paid was more that what was owed then one cannot take it back from the poor people. It will become the Sadaqah and InshaAllah one will receive the reward for it. Q6. Can Zakat be given in installments throughout the year, and what happens if the person dies before giving all the installments? A6. It is allowed to give the Zakat in installments, provided it is given in advance. Suppose one calculated that at the end of this year he/she would have to give $1200 dollars in Zakat. One can give this amount on a monthly or quarterly basis before the end of the Zakat year. If a person dies before paying off his/her Zakat dues, his/her heirs should pay the remaining balance from his/her wealth, before the distribution of the inheritance.