Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, a renowned religious scholar and former chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, has announced that the minimum amount of Sadqa-e-Fitr for this year has been set at Rs320.
Sadqa-e-Fitr is a compulsory charitable donation that Muslims are required to make during the holy month of Ramadan. This donation is based on the prices of staple foods such as flour, dates, raisins, cheese, or barley, according to Islamic Shariah.
The significance of Sadqa-e-Fitr lies in its ability to assist the poor and needy members of society, particularly during the festive period of Eid-ul-Fitr. This act helps those in need during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr and is a way for Muslims to give back to their community and gain blessings from Allah Almighty.
Mufti Muneeb has calculated the amount for Fitrana to be Rs320 per person, based on the market price of 2.25 kilograms of flour. Those wishing to pay Fitrana at the rate of barley or dates should pay a minimum of Rs480 and Rs2,800 per person, respectively. Similarly, those wishing to pay Fitrana at the rate of raisins should pay Rs6,400 per person for first-class dates and Rs4,800 per person for second-class raisins.
Muslims who possess an excess of food beyond their needs must pay Sadqa-e-Fitr before Eid prayers. If the person is a breadwinner, they must also pay Sadqa-e-Fitr for their dependents, such as their wife, children, dependent relatives, or servants.
Mufti Muneeb also advises people to pay the amount to the poor before Eid-ul-Fitr, so they too can celebrate the festival. The most deserving recipients of Sadqa-e-Fitr are close relatives, followed by neighbors and the poor.
The real spirit of Fitr and Fidya is the provision of two meals for a destitute person, so it is better to pay the cost of a meal in a hotel. Wealthier individuals should try to pay more to extend assistance to the poor during this time of skyrocketing inflation.
If an individual is unable to fast for the entire month of Ramadan, they should pay compensation worth Rs9,600 for the entire month of Friday prayers in proportion to the price of flour. Similarly, compensation for leaving 30 fasts in wheat would be Rs19,200, for barley Rs28,800, for dates Rs84,000, for first-class raisins Rs192,000, and for second-class raisins Rs144,000. Kufara (compensation) in wheat would be Rs3,200, barley Rs4,800, dates Rs28,000, first-class raisins Rs64,000, and second-class raisins Rs48,000.
