Ruling on Giving Sadaqat al-Fitr in the First Ten Days of Ramadan
📚 Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on giving Sadaqat al-Fitr during the first ten days of Ramadan?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿamma baʿd!
The term Sadaqat al-Fitr is attributed to the word “Fitr”, because the act of breaking the fast (Fitr) at the end of Ramadan is its reason. Since the conclusion of Ramadan is what necessitates this form of charity, it is intrinsically linked to that occasion.
Therefore, giving Sadaqat al-Fitr in the first ten days of Ramadan is not permissible. Its most virtuous time is before the Eid prayer on the day of Eid. However, it is also allowed to give it one or two days before Eid in order to facilitate ease for both the giver and the recipient.
According to the strongest opinion among scholars, giving Sadaqat al-Fitr more than a couple of days in advance — as a form of prepayment — is not permissible.
Hence, there are two timeframes for giving Sadaqat al-Fitr:
➊ Time of Permissibility (وقتِ جواز):
One or two days before Eid.
➋ Time of Excellence (وقتِ فضیلت):
Before the Eid prayer on the day of Eid.
⚠ Note:
Giving Sadaqat al-Fitr after the Eid prayer is prohibited, and any such payment will not be considered Sadaqat al-Fitr, but rather just a general charity.
This is based on the following Hadith:
«مَنْ اَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهِیَ زَکَاةٌ مَقْبُوْلَةٌ وَمَنْ اَدَّاهَا بَعْدَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهِیَ صَدَقَةٌ مِنَ الصَّدَقَاتِ»
“Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is an accepted Zakat; and whoever gives it after the prayer, it is a regular charity among the charities.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Zakāh, Bāb Zakāt al-Fitr, Ḥadīth: 1609; Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Zakāh, Bāb Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr, Ḥadīth: 1827)
❖ Exception:
If a person is unaware of the Eid day — for example, he lives in a remote forest, or receives the news of Eid late, or any similar reason — then in such cases, giving Sadaqat al-Fitr even after the Eid prayer is permissible, and it will be counted as valid.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
