With the arrival of the last daha, or final ten days of Ramzan, the spirit of giving takes over. It’s not just the time when Muslims are engaged in prayer and other acts of worship, but are busy preparing fidiya and fitra packs for those in need.
Scholars say both fidiya and fitra are the forms of charity that are taken up in the month of Ramzan. While fidiya is considered an ‘expiation’ and is given to the needy by those who are unable to fast, fitra consists of of up to 3.5 kg of foodgrains, usually wheat, or its equivalent in cash.
“ Fidiya is given by those who are old and unable to fast and are unable to compensate by fasting on another day. People like me, with health issues due to old age, arrange for saheri (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking the fast) for those who belong to poor sections,” says Azeemunnisa Begum, an octogenarian.
Ms. Begum, a resident of Banjara Hills, says several of her cousins and contemporaries too hand out fitra to those who are poor.
For years now, many charitable organisations have been preparing fidiya packs for the poor. They charge a fee from those who are unable to fast and hand over packs to the needy.
While fidiya is for those who are unable to fast, the community members say fitra must be given to those belonging to the weaker sections of society. The act of giving must be completed before Eid-ul-Fitr.
“When Muslims are celebrating Eid, there is no reason why those who are poor should not. Inclusiveness is the spirit of our faith. Before Eid is announced, we give grains to the poor so that they do not go hungry on the festival day.
A continuous activity
Fitra grains in the name of all the members of a family is given to the poor. However, this does not mean that on other days they should be ignored. Helping others is a year-round activity,” says Mohammed Abdul Rafay, a sales executive and resident of Darul Shifa.
