FITRA 1430 - For UK and Europe Only

According to the Shariah, Fitra becomes incumbent when the new moon of Shawwal is sighted. This is known as Zakat of Fitra, which is Wajib on every Baligh person.

If you have a guest with you, who has arrived at your house before sunset on the eve of Eid ul Fitr, then his/her Fitra is WAJIB upon you.

As per law 1999 of Ayatullah Seestani’s ‘Islamic laws’: “At the time of sunset on Eid ul Fitr, whoever is adult and sane and is neither unconscious, nor poor, or the slave of another, he should give, on his own behalf as well as on behalf of all those who are his dependents, about three kilos per head of wheat or barley or dates or raisins or rice of millet etc. It is also sufficient if he pays the price of one of these items in case”

Therefore, in principle, the Fitra is on staple food. We would recommend that one person’s Fitra may be:

Please note that this is based on average calculations of costs and if momineen use other staple food or expensive brands, then they need to undertake their own calculations.

As long as the Mustahiq of Fitra is available in your own country of residence, the Shariah enjoins upon you to spend it locally. Each Mustahiq may not receive less that one unit of Fitra. To make it clear, let us take an example, It is determined that one unit of Fitra is £5.00 per head, then the Mustahiq may not receive less than £5.00. However, anything more than one, even it is forms a fraction (say £5.50 or £6.00 and so on) can be given.

Since Fitra becomes Wajib when the new moon of Shawwal is sighted, Shariah does not recommend advance payment to the Mustahiqqeen. But if you think a particular deserving person of family may benefit better if the payment is made to them earlier then Eid ul Fitr, you can give away your sum as a loan to them earlier and then you will make niyyat for the sum being Fitra, upon sighting of the new moon.

For those Jamaats who collect Fitra, The Council of European Jamaat has the following recommendation to make:

1.      If you come to know of a deserving person or family in your city or country of residence, you will please consider it as a priority case.

2.      Accordingly to Ayatullah Seestani, the Mustahiq must be a Mumin and Shia Ithna Asheri.

3.      Fitra of a non-Seyyid cannot be given to a Seyyid; but a Seyyid may give his own Fitra to a Seyyid.

4.      For UK Jamaats: If Member of your jamaat can be persuaded to make A Gift Aid Declaration, with your Jamaat (if it is a Registered Charity) the benefit of tax rebate can be used.

The Council of European Jamaat will gladly collect Fitra and deposit the whole amount, without any deduction to The World Federation of KSMIC for Distribution.

The World Federation this year has distributed Fitra amongst the needy in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and East Africa. In fact, an advance payment towards this has already been made by The World Federation so as to alleviate the needs of Mumineen during the Holy Month of Ramadhan, and to allow them to provide for their families on the occasion of EID UL FITR

FIDYA

We also take this opportunity to remind the Momineen that the COEJ is also collecting Fidya for those who are unable to fast due to illness or old age. The amount of Fidya is £1.50 for each fast.

You can also pay your Fitra and Fidya online at www.coej.org

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact on 0845 330 6012 or secretariat@coej.org.

With Salaams,
 

Islamic Cultural Affairs Committee
The Council of European Jamaats

23 August 2009 / 1 Ramadhan 1430

ICA