SRINAGAR: According to the Grand Mufti Nasir-ul Islam of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr per person for this Ramadan has been fixed at Rs 65, and there is no issue with paying more if the individual has the financial capability to do so. Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam further stated that the amount for Sadaqat-ul-Fitr was determined through a thorough consensus with the Ulema from both the Kashmir and Jammu regions. He also emphasized that it is compulsory for every individual to pay Sadaqat-ul-Fitr at the rate of Rs 65 during this holy month.
“One organization Saut Ul-Awliya has announced Rs 70 in their individual capacity as Sadaqat-ul Fitr. If any person wants to pay Rs 70 or more than that, there is no harm as rewards will be more,” the Grand Mufti said.
Mufti Nasir-ul Islam emphasized that Sadaqat-ul-Fitr must be given to those who are underprivileged, impoverished, homeless, orphaned, or destitute, and not to Masjids, Shrines, Khanqahs, or any other religious organization. He stated that the Fitr amount must be directed towards deserving individuals before Eid so that they can also partake in the festivities with others.
The Fitr amount was determined through a consensus with the Ulema from the Kashmir and Jammu regions, which includes prominent figures such as the head of Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Rehmatullah Qasimi, patron of Darul Uloom Rahimiya Bandipora, Mufti Nazir Ahmed Qasmi and Mufti Muzaffar, Mufti Abdur Raheem via Baramulla, Khateeb at the shrine of Hazrat Naqshband Sahab (RA) Prof Muhammad Tayib Kamili, Chairman Karwani-e-Islami Ghulam Rasool Hami, Fayaz Ahmed Rizvi from Sautul Awliya, Shia Scholars Aga Syed Al Hassan Mosvi, Aga Syed Haadi, and Masoor Abbas Ansari, Muhammad Yaseen Kirmani, Gen Sec Muslim Personal Law Board, Mufti Himayon, Shabir Ahmed Geelani, Abdur Hameed Nayeemi, Moulana Younus, and Abdur Rehman Ashrafi from Qazigund. From Jammu, Ulema’s who participated in the consensus include Mufti Nazir Ahmed, Mufti Shabir Ahmed Noori, Qari Ali Hussain, Haji Muhammad Shafi Nasri, Mufti Liaquat Ali Rajouri, Master Ashraf from Kathua, Maulana Muzaffar Hussain Rizvi from Jammu, Maulana Shafi Rizvi from Samba, Mufti Muhammad Iqbal from Poonch, Hafiz Syed Yasir from Udhampur, Bashir Ahmed Qadri and Reasi, and Haji Muhammad Tariq from Jammu.
Mufti Nasir-ul Islam referred to the Hadith, stating that “Every Muslim must pay Sadaqat-ul-Fitr at the end of the month of Ramadan as an expression of gratitude to Allah for allowing them to observe the mandatory fast. Its objective is to act as a tax on the fasting individual. The fasting of a person in the month of Ramadan will remain suspended between the earth and the heavens and will not ascend to the Divine Presence until the Fitr amount is paid.”
In regards to Zakat, Mufti Nasir explained that Zakat is payable at a rate of 2.5% on the wealth one possesses above the nisab. The nisab is equivalent to 85 grams of 24k gold and represents the minimum amount of wealth that one must possess before they become obligated to pay zakat. (KNO)
