The Moroccan High Council of Ulemas has estimated the cash value of Zakat Al Fitr, the charity that every Muslim in Morocco has to pay at the end of Ramadan, at MAD 13 per person this year.
Rabat – According to Moroccan astronomer Abdelaziz Kharbouch Al Ifrani, Eid Al Fitr, or the “Feast of Breaking the Fast” will be celebrated in Morocco on June 5, marking the end of Ramadan.
On this day, all Muslims are required to pay the Zakat Al Fitr, a special charitable donation given at this specific time of the year to those less fortunate.
For the donation to be considered as Zakat Al Fitr, rather than regular charity, the amount must be paid up to 48 hours before the Eid Al Fitr prayer.
“Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is accepted Zakat, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity,” states a Haddith of Islam, narrated by Abu Dawood.
The High Council of Ulemas has confirmed the minimum Zakat amount to be paid this year in Morocco is MAD 13 ($1.34).
“It is an obligation to pay the Zakat in line with the Sharia law,” said the High Council of Ulemas in a press release yesterday.
Read also: Astronomer: Morocco to Celebrate Eid Al Fitr June 5
Traditionally, Zakat was paid in foodstuffs (like grains or flour). Each Muslim had to donate one “Saa” (450g).
A Moroccan fatwa from 2010 (1431 in the Hijri calendar) confirmed that Zakat in Morocco can be paid as a monetary amount.
The High Council of Ulemas sets the Zakat amount based on the price of wheat, and the amount can vary every year. The 2018 Zakat amount was also MAD 13 ($1.34). In 2017, the Zakat was MAD 15 per person ($1.55).
Zakat can be paid to Islamic organizations, imams in mosques or directly to an individual in need.
While the minimum amount to pay this year is MAD 13, any higher Zakat donation can be made.
Traditionally, the head of the family would pay the Zakat for all family members, including children.
