As Muslims throughout the world prepare to observe the feast of Eid-ul-Fitr commonly known as Koriteh, marking the end of Ramadan, we would like to wish Muslims a happy feast in advance.
As Islam has it, before Mulims go to the congregational prayers, it is obligatory on every Muslim to give out zakatul fitr to the poor and the needy, so that they too can enjoy the feast as others do.
Zakatul fitr should be spent upon the poor and disabled for their maintenance, may be given to new converts of Islam who fail in financial distress due to their conversion, may be given to those who are in debts, may be given to those travelers who become short of funds while on their journey.
The main purpose of Zakat is to discourage accumulation of wealth by a group of society and also the tendency of uneven distribution of wealth in society.
Giving zakatul fitr is an opportunity for the poor and needy to equally enjoy the feast and that is why is advisable to be given at the right time.
Indeed, the day is meant for sharing and caring with each other, and the rich should assist the needy during this period. Whilst the occasion is a joyous one where people should celebrate happily with their families, some family heads find it very difficult as wives, and the young ones demand new clothes which is not within the reach of the father or mother.
During this period some family heads always find it very difficult to cope with certain members of their family, who will want them to provide things that are even beyond their earnings.
People will want to spend all the monies they have for the day and, most of the time, shortly after the festival, some find it hard even to provide fish money. So, it is not advisable to spend all the family income at the same time.
However, people should know that, immediately after the feast, schools are expected to re-open, and they need to pay the school fees for their children. So you are advised to spend wisely.
And "We made him (Abraham) pure in this world and in the hereafter; he is most surely among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, 'Submit,' he said, 'I submit myself to the Lord of the Worlds."
