We kindly ask you to explain the wisdom behind the legislation of the zakat of ‘Eid al-Fitr.

Zakat al-Fitr is a prescribed amount of wealth that must be paid at the end of the blessed month of Ramadan. It is obligatory upon Muslims, young or old, male or female. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed it as one saʿ of dates, barley, or the staple food of the land, to be given on behalf of every individual. One saʿ is equivalent to approximately 2.04 kilograms, according to the majority of scholars. This is based on the hadith narrated by ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, prescribed the zakat of ‘Eid al-Fitr as one saʿ of dates or one saʿ of barley, obligatory upon every Muslim—whether free or enslaved, male or female” (Bukhari and Muslim). In another narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “It is obligatory upon every Muslim—slave or free, male or female, young or old” (recorded by Bukhari in his Sahih).

The wisdom behind its legislation includes purifying the fasting person, cleansing them, and compensating for any deficiency in the reward of fasting. It is also intended as an act of compassion toward the poor, relieving them from having to beg on the day of ʿEid, comforting their hearts, and bringing joy to them on a day when Muslims rejoice. This is supported by the hadith narrated by ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, prescribed the zakat of ‘Eid al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscene speech, and as food for the poor” (recorded by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and al-Bayhaqi in Al-Sunan, and by al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak, who declared it authentic).

Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the zakat of ‘Eid al-Fitr, “Provide for them on this day” (recorded by al-Daraqutni in Al-Sunan). In another narration, he said “Relieve them from having to go around begging on this day” (recorded by Ibn Wahb in Al-Jamiʿ, Ibn Zanjawayh in Al-Amwal, and al-Bayhaqi in Al-Sunan al-Kubra). Imam al-Hattab noted in Mawahib al-Jalil (2:365), “The wisdom behind its legislation lies in showing kindness to the poor by sparing them from having to beg on the day of Fitr.”
 

And Allah Almighty knows best.