Sadaqat-ul-fitr

[Umm Salmaan]

ASAK Sheikh,

Is it acceptable to send the money for sadaqat-ul-fitr back home overseas to ensure that it is given in the proper manner and at the proper time ? Can this be given to non-muslims as well ?

The problem we face here is if the money is given to the mosque, they send it overseas anyway and usually a while after eid has finished. Pls. advise. JK

[e1_tea]

Sheikh,

We are planning to organise the collection of sadaqat-ul-fitr of Indonesian students here in Melbourne. Back home, we used to have the ijab-qabul for the sadaqat-ul-fitr. Does the ijab-qabul is compulsory? Could you please elaborate how to the fiqh for sadaqat collection? Is there any specific procedure to follow for the collection?

In the Ramadan Knight notes, it is said that the sadaqat can be given 2 days prior the eid. As we are planning to send the money to Indonesia, is it still acceptable to collect the money earlier?

[Aslam AbuIsmaeel]

Wa alaikumussalaam

If there are no poor here in Australia that we know of to be recpients of Sadaqatul-Fitr, then in such a case there is no blame at all for sending it overseas.

If you were to give to some orgnisations that collect this, they may charge a lot more money.  This money may not be for the poor but rather for their organisational charges.  Administrative expenses are fine and permissible.  If you like to avoid this though you can send them to the poor overseas yourself, ensure that all money gets to them, and on time - this is fine and all good if you have the means of getting money there.  Or else you'd need to do it via an organisation.

Some scholars said that the sadaqatul-Fitr recepients are the same as that of Zakat.  Based on this, the sadaqatul fitr would then have to be given only to Muslims since Zakat is only to be given to Muslims. 

NB: Other charity can be given to non-Muslims but not Zakat.

It is best so far as we can ensure, that the sadaqatul fitr be given to the poor on the day of the eid and atleast no later than the eid salat.  So, if you were sending money to Indonesia or overseas elsewhere, then it is fine for you to collect the money more than two days prior to Eid if necessary for administrative puposes etc.  It is best to try to ensure that atleast it is given to the poor on the eid day at least by the time they go for eid prayer.

So, in Melbourne you can collect the money from before the two days prior to eid, ask someone in Indonesia or wherever to be prepared with the food for the numbers required.  You can give them the number of people a little before eid and then update them until the last moment of the exact final number of people giving sadaqatul fitr.  You can ask the person in Indonesia to buy the food and give it to that many poor with their money and that you will transfer it via bank account asap.  so it would remain a loand with him but atleast it will be given to the poor before the eid prayer.

I do not remember concept of Ijab and qabul with respect to sadaqatul fitr.  I only know that concept in marriage and in sale transactions.  As for this sadaqatul fitr, it is a sadaqah and hibah (granting and charity); so giving it to that person and the poor person accepting it is all that is required, however, this acceptance or giving does not have to be in words, doing it in action is enough.  Basically, the important thing is to hand over the food, the other party accepts it - in word or action so long as it is understood.  IIs that what you were asking about e1_tea?

Wassalamu alaikum

[e1_tea]

Yes, the question is answered, Jazakallahu khair, Sheikh...

[Aslam AbuIsmaeel]

wa iyyakum!!