Sarajevo residents rushing to pay Zakat al-Fitr

Sarajevo residents are rushing to pay Zakat al-Fitr in the final days of Ramadan, often leading to queues in front of the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

Zakat al-Fitr or Sadaqat al-Fitr is an obligation for every Muslim. It is prescribed to correct any shortcomings that may have occurred during the Ramadan fast and to enable the poor to celebrate the greatest Muslim holiday, Eid, with dignity.

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), made the payment of Sadaqat al-Fitr obligatory, stating: "It purifies the fasting person from indecent words and deeds, and it feeds the poor. Whoever pays it before the Eid prayer will have his reward accepted, and whoever pays it after the Eid prayer will have it count as ordinary charity!"

Sadaqat al-Fitr is also prescribed for the needs of the poor and needy, so they can experience at least the Eid days in comfort and joy. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah made the payment of Sadaqat al-Fitr obligatory, saying: "Make the poor self-sufficient on the occasion of Eid so that they do not have to beg on that day!"

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sadaqat al-Fitr is paid to the Bejtul-mal, an institution within the Islamic Community of BiH, which later finances the needs of needy citizens. Citizens can pay Sadaqat al-Fitr in any mosque in BiH, reports Patria.