On the eve of Korité 2023, the Zakat El Fitr fuels the debate. In Senegal, many people prefer to make the donation in cash. A way that some religious like Oustaz Mass Thiam and Makhtar Sarr do not appreciate. They invite to be inspired by the school of Imam Malick who promotes the donation of the most used food in the country where the Muslim fasted.
The Zakat El Fitr marks the end of Ramadan among Muslims. This gift for the poor must be made in kind according to the religious. For Outsaz Makhtar Sarr, Imam Malick said it should not be valued in cash for the donation. The Prophet (PSL) said it well as the most famous school. This does not mean that whoever does it will not be rewarded. We need to learn from Imam Malick’s school in Senegal, so we used that as a basis for saying that,” he said. He goes back to the reason for this donation. It is so that the poor can celebrate like everyone else the Aid El Fitr. Some religious scholars have said that it cannot be given in money. Some gave Tandarma, grapes or millet. We must not question the teachings of the Prophet. There is no hadith to be trusted to explain this. But this gift helps to validate the Muslim’s youth,” he explains. He continued, “Those who say that money must be given, the Hadith mentioned is not safe. While we have a text from the prophet for the gift in kind. Senegal is inspired by the Imam Malick school».
For Senegalese living abroad, Oustaz Makhtar Sarr can send money for Zakat El Fitr. The donation in kind is more than recommended and we are told that in Europe the money is used for the construction of the mosque or its renovation while the Zakat El Fitr is intended for the poor. We have to stop saying that giving in kind does nothing for the poor. We can compare this, for example, during the pilgrimage, the pilgrim makes the sacrifice of Abraham and gives the meat to the poor. This does not mean that the pilgrim must give money to the poor. If we have to give only money for alms, it is not based on religion. For on the day of Korah no one can prevent the needy from asking for alms. Again, it’s very simple, you need a gift in kind and not money. In any case, everyone agrees that with the gift in kind, it is very recommended while for the money there is no Hadith in relation to that», he insists.
Embouching the same trumpet, Oustaz Mass Thiam supports the words of his predecessor. For him, the gift in kind is recommended according to the precepts of Islam. “The Prophet prescribed food for the needy to use after Ramadan, but if we can give money afterwards, it would also be like a handout,” he says. He is of the opinion that the Zakat El Fitr must not transit. «Those who are abroad must give it in the country they fasted», he said.
It indicates that the father of the family can give it to his family based in the country from where he fasted. For Europe, it’s valued at 7 Euros,” he said. Oustaz Mass Thiam suggests that it should be given before the prayer, gone this step will be just alms. It can be given two days before the Korite or the day before. The goal of this gift is to validate our fasting and wipe away our sins during Ramadan»
