Zakat Al-Fitr - To pay before Eid
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ طُهْرَةً لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ اللَّغْوِ وَالرَّفَثِ وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِينِ مَنْ أَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِيَ زَكَاةٌ مَقْبُولَةٌ وَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ فَهِيَ صَدَقَةٌ مِنَ الصَّدَقَاتِ .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prescribed the sadaqah (alms) relating to the breaking of the fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. If anyone pays it before the prayer (of Eid), it will be accepted as zakat. If anyone pays it after the prayer, that will be a sadaqah like other sadaqahs (alms).
Zakat Al-Fitr information:
Who Should Pay Zakat Al-Fitr?Zakat Al-Fitr is an obligation upon every Muslim, grown-up or a child regardless of the gender, The head of the family pays for every single member of the family.
Who should receive it ??The poor & the needy.
When Should You Pay?You can start giving Zakat Al-Fitr in the last few days of Ramadan and it must be completed before the Eid Ul-Fitr prayers.
How much should you pay? A scoop (saa’) of what Prophet (ﷺ) practised in Medina is approximately equal to 3 kg of uncooked rice, wheat, barley, cereal, dhal etc. of equivalent
What’s the wisdom behind Zakat -ul Fitr?1-It purifies the fasting person of the shortcomings in his fast.
2- This Zakat helps the poor people enjoy the Eid along with everyone else.
3- It’s a form of giving Thanks to Allah for allowing us to fast Ramadan.
4-It does purify all the souls that’s why it’s obligated to be paid on children too.
5-Zakat al-Fitr helps to cultivate among the Muslims the habit of giving.
Suggestion Help your head of the family in buying it & distributing it.
Reference:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1609
https://sunnah.com/abudawud/9/54