ON ZAKAATUL FITR WITH MONETARY VALUE by Al-Hafiz AbdulHafeez Ariremako

A Rejoinder:(Reacting to an audio presentation considering Zakatul Fitr with monetary value a great misguidance)

The audio reflects the evil of assuming an authority without qualification.

 In fact a lot of havoc have been wrecked by people believing they can talk on any matters of sharee'ah, and worse than that malign scholars of repute and certified authorities. Let no one think that whenever you have a hadith or more you become an authority. If that is the case anyone can become one without having to go to university to study it not to talk of becoming a specialist. Let us be mindful of this valuable fact: that if your hadith or reference is authentic and infallible, your own understanding of the reference does not enjoy the same quality. That is why you see scholars disagreeing on a matter yet relying on the same reference. They agree on the reference but disagree on the understanding of the import. Do I need to give an example? Instances abound for those that are versed in fiqh. The Hadith of praying Asr in the place of Banu Qurayzah is one of such. That is why the companions that disagreed- when it appeared to a parochial mind they went against a hadith- did not do that out of volition but in search of truth that suits the people and still reflects the spirit of sharee'ah.

Today some people want everybody to understand Islam in their own way. They applaud scholars that support their stance and rubbish others and hence consider their opinion as a great misguidance.

It is also noteworthy that it is not allowed according to the principle of Islamic jurisprudence to condemn others who hold on to a different opinion on an issue of fiqh that enjoys varied opinions. Can the acclaimed authority in the audio tell us that the issue of paying zakat Al-fitr only with food items enjoys unanimity of scholars. Haba!  The religion is not yours!

Paying zakatul fitr in its monetary value is a popular opinion of scholars now, most especially those that consider the maqaasid al-sharee'ah(the intent and goal of the law of Allah) and understand the texts of its law in that light.

My intention in this rejoinder is not to give you evidence and proof justifying the payment in monetary value but to call attention to the evil of castigating others who disagree with you on your stand on matters like this.

WaLlaahu a'lam

Abdulhafeez Ariremako

Director @ Al-Qurraa' Tahfeez School.