Category Archives: Ramadan

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Zakat

 

The fidyah (ransom) for those exempt from fasting and the method of paying it

 

Those who are unable to fast the month of Ramadan, nor are they able to make up the fasts after it – either due to old age or due to a chronic (permanent) illness – are required to pay a fidyah instead of fasting, as Allah states: ‘’And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.’’ [Surat al-Baqarah:184]

Al-Bukhari (4505) narrates that ibn ‘Abbas (r) said concerning this verse: ‘’It is not abrogated. It relates to the old man or woman who are unable to fast, so they break their fast and feed one poor person in the place of each (missed) day.’’ The one who is chronically ill takes the same ruling as what ibn ‘Abbas (r) mentioned.

The amount of the fidyah is as in Allah’s statemen: ‘’a ransom of feeding a poor person.’’ Therefore, a meal is to be donated (or its equivalent amount in money) for thirty days or the number of days of fasting missed. The amount may differ from place to place with the variations in prices, so every year the cost of this meal is to be calculated. This can then be donated to one poor person or several poor people.

It is also allowed to do what Anas ibn Malik (r) used to do: ‘’when he became too weak to fast one year, he prepared a plate of food and called thirty poor people to feed them.’’ Narrated by al-Daraqutni and it is authentic.

Al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his Sahih: ‘’As for the old man if he is unable to fast, then when Anas got too old to fast one year he would feed a poor person bread and meat each day, and he would break his fast.’’

The Fatwa Committee – UK

3rd of Ramadan 1438 AH (29/05/2017)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amount of Zakat and the method of calculation

 

Whoever’s wealth reaches the nisab (threshold), which is equivalent to 85 grams of pure gold (24 carat), and a whole lunar year passes (with this wealth in his possession), then it is obligatory upon such a person to pay 2.5% of their wealth. This also differs based on the changes in the price of gold.

For example: the cost of one gram of gold in GBP on the 2nd of Ramadan 1438 AH was (£) 31.80 GBP. Based on this the threshold would be 31.80 multiplied by 85, which is (£) 2,703 GBP. Therefore, whoever owns (at least) this amount and a (lunar) year passes since ownership, must pay 2.5% (of their money) in Zakat.

The Fatwa Committee – UK

3rd of Ramadan 1438 AH (29/05/2017)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amount of Zakatu-l Fitr and the method of payment

 

Regarding the amount of Zakatu-l Fitr, it was narrated in Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘’we used to give it in the time of the Messenger (peace be upon him) a Sa’ of food or one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley or one Sa’ of Raisins (dried grapes).’’

These were the standard foods of the Muslims in those days. Therefore, what is obligatory is to give a Sa’ of a standard food of the land (or country), according to the Sa’ of the Messenger (peace be upon him), which is four pairs of the average handful, which is roughly 3kg in weight. Thus, if a Muslim gives a Sa’ of rice for instance, or another standard food of the land, then that suffices them. There is also no harm in giving its equivalent amount in weight, which is about 3kg.

Similarly, there is no harm in giving what equates to the above in money, by calculating for instance the cost of 3kg of rice on average. These days, a kilo of rice on average costs between £1.5 and £2. Zakatu-l Fitr would then be between £4.50 and £6.

The Fatwa Committee – UK

3rd of Ramadan 1438 AH (29/05/2017)


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Fatwa Committee UK First Meeting

Category : Fasting , Ramadan

The European Council for Fatwa and Research

Fatwa Committee UK

Praise be to Allah the lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the messenger of Allah, and all his family and companions. To proceed:

By the success of Allah, the Committee of Fatwa in Britain – that is a branch of the European Council for Fatwa and Research – was able to meet in the British capital; London, on Wednesday the 6th of Rajab 1437 (the 13th of April 2016). It is the first meeting since starting work with regards to fatwas. Discussions were held concerning several contemporary issues that affect the British Muslim community. After discussion of these topics, the following decisions were drawn by the members of the Committee:

(Decision 1/1)

The ruling of breaking the fast for those students whose concentration during exams is affected by fasting

The committee relied upon the verdict of the European Council for Fatwa and Research on this issue (Fatwa 6/25), which states: ‘’If due to the long hours of fasting in Ramadan, the student fears that he will be caused severe exhaustion and hardship, and that fasting will affect his concentration in performing the exam, and he is not able to delay this exam, then he is permitted to break his fast in order to push away such hardship. He is then required to make up the missed fasts later. In the words of Allah: ‘’Allah wants ease for you, and He does not want hardship’’ (Surat al-Baqarah: 185)

(Decision 2/1)

Fasting Ramadan when the days are long in Britain

The committee had a look at some of the juristic and astronomical opinions relating to the lengthy days during Ramadan in the upcoming years. After long detailed discussions and debates of the various juristic and astronomical opinions on this matter, the committee confirmed that the fast begins at the start time of the Fajr prayer, and it ends at Maghrib (sunset); and this is the case in all parts of the United Kingdom. Any other views mentioned of reducing the fast hours are based on weak opinions that oppose the clear cut evidences of the Shari’ah; and anybody who is not capable of fasting, has been given permission by Allah to break their fast, and repeat it on another day.

(Decision 3/1)

To create a juristic and astronomical council to lay down prayer timings to be implemented in all cities of the United Kingdom

In order to avoid confusions relating to prayer times, especially the night prayers at summer, in which the signs that indicate prayer times disappear, the committee decided to create a juristic and astronomical board that specifically is concerned with calculating and determining prayer times, the most important for those fasting being the start of the Fajr prayer. This would be done for all the areas in the UK. This board would include experts in mathematics and astronomy, as well as two representatives of the Fatwa Committee, applying the flexibility of the Shari’ah in determining the prayer times, especially during periods in which the nights are shortened severely, and the signs for the night prayers no longer become visible or clear.

(Decision 4/1)

The permissibility for Muslims outside Palestine to visit Jerusalem

After discussing a piece of research presented by Shaykh Dr. Suhaib Hasan (a member of the fatwa committee), he clarified in it the religiously recommended benefits of visiting Jerusalem, despite it being occupied. The committee decided that it was permissible for Muslims across the world to visit Jerusalem, as a way of confirming the Islamic nature of the place, and in consolidation with its people, and hoping for the reward stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him) for doing so. And its being under occupation does not prevent from visiting it, because the Messenger (peace be upon him) sought permission from Quraish to visit the Sacred Mosque before the Opening of Makkah. This took place when he went out to perform ‘Umrah in the month of Dhul Qa’dah in the sixth month after the Hijrah. It is also narrated that when he (peace be upon him) went to Hudaybiyyah, he sent Uthmaan ibn Affaan to seek permission from Quraish to enter Makkah, so Uthmaan went and told them that we are here to perform ‘Umrah, but the Quraish prevented him that year. They then agreed that they could return the following year, and this was what occurred in the seventh year after the Hijrah.

Recommendations:

As per the work of the committee, it advises the following:

Firstly: the committee advises all the Muslims to refer back to the congregational juristic organisations when seeking a fatwa (religious ruling), such as the European Council for Fatwa and Research, the Islamic Shariah Council in London, and other such institutes and councils that are based upon making group ijtihaad (religious verdicts) whilst keeping in mind the reality and various circumstances of the Muslims.

Secondly: the council encourages all the Muslims that their fasting and ’Eid dates are united, based on group efforts that seek out the general benefit of the Muslims. As well as for the Muslims to openly show pride in their religious events and occurrences that show great unity of the Muslim community.

And peace and blessing be upon our Messenger Muhammad and all his family and companions.

Fatwa Committee UK