Who Is Eligible to Receive Fidya and Fitrana?
The last day of Ramadan has Muslims all over the world striving to fulfill their religious obligation, such as the charity of Fidya and Fitrana (also referred to as Zakat al-Fitr). It is better to know who can receive zakat al-fitr and Fidya, and where to donate them, so as to ensure that your charity reaches the right people.
Knowledge of Fitrana (Zakat al-Fitr)
Fitrana is a mandatory charity that every Muslim who possesses surplus money is required to give. Its aim is twofold: one to absolve the fast of any injustice and the other to provide food to the poor so that they can feast on Eid.
Which People are Obligated to Pay Fitrana?
All the adults, who are sane and financially viable, Muslims have to pay Fitrana on behalf of themselves and their dependents. This normally includes a husband/wife, children, and other family members they take care of. This duty begins on the last day of Ramadan evening and stops on the morning of Eid. This basically means that the fitrana distribution before Eid is necessary.
Who is Deserving of Fitrana?
The beneficiaries of Fitrana are the same as those to whom Zakat can be advanced. The needy or poor form the majority. This way, the money would be used to benefit those who require basic amenities to celebrate Eid with some decency. It is also permitted to provide Fitrana to other needy Zakat beneficiaries, including those in debt or traveling in affliction.
However, there are limits. An individual is not able to pay Fitrana to his close family, including parents, spouse, or relatives, since they already have some responsibility towards them. On top of this, numerous researchers affirm that the non-Hashemite is not able to provide his or her Fitrana to a descendant of the Prophet.
Can Poor Relatives Receive Fitrana?
One of the questions is, can poor relatives receive fitrana? The response is affirmative, provided that they are not your immediate dependents. You may present Fitrana to a poor cousin, aunt, uncle, or sibling whom you do not support. Charity plus preserving the family bonds or relationships by offering to poor family members is a very good activity.
Understanding Fidya
Fidya is a compensatory charity when a person has a reason that he or she cannot avoid, and as a result of this, he or she will miss a fast during Ramadan, and he or she can not compensate for this later in life.
Who is Required to Pay Fidya?
The obligation of fasting among individuals who are not able to fast forever is known as Fidya. This also covers the weak members of the elderly who are too weak to fast and the chronically or permanently ill who simply cannot get better, since it is a chronic illness. Expectant or lactating women concerned with their well-being tend to remake the missed fasts later on and do not have to pay Fidya in case of a long-lasting condition.
Who is the One Able to Receive Fidya?
According to scholars, Fidya is given out just as Zakat. Consequently, those individuals who are eligible to get zakat al-Fitr are also able to get Fidya. The donations should be given to the poor and the needy to feed them. For each missed fast, the amount should be sufficient to provide one needy person with two meals. This makes sure that the compensation will directly benefit a poor person, as it is instructed in the Quran.
When to Donate?
These donations are critical in time. The most suitable time in the case of Fitrana is before the Eid prayer. This allows the needy to spend it on the Eid celebrations. It may be paid earlier during Ramadan, though it is not advisable to withhold it until after the Eid prayer. Fidya is not obligatory to be paid at a particular time, although it is usually paid during Ramadan or immediately after Ramadan when a person misses a fast or two.
Making Your Fitra Donation Online
Donors can do so nowadays more than ever due to the numerous online sites of NGO’s. In case you would like to do your fitra donation online, there are numerous reputable organizations like Saylani Welfare that can allow you to make a safe and convenient donation from the comfort of your own home. It also makes it easier for overseas Pakistanis to make an online zakat al fitr donation in Pakistan. It is important to ensure that the charity you settle on is a good one and has a channel of delivering Fitrana before Eid; this would aid in ensuring that you complete your duty properly.