What zakat al-Fitr is

Zakat al-Fitr is also called sadaqat al-Fitr or fitrah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made it a duty on every Muslim, young or old, male or female.

It is different from the yearly zakat on wealth. It is not a percentage of your savings. It is a fixed amount for each person.

Why we give it

The Prophet ﷺ made it as a purification for the person who fasted, from any idle talk or wrong speech. It is also food for the poor.

Because of this, Muslims can enter Eid without anyone in the community being hungry.

It is also a way to thank Allah for the blessing of finishing Ramadan.

Who pays

Every Muslim who has food beyond their basic needs on the day of Eid should pay it. The head of a household usually pays for the children and for others they must support.

Details can depend on the situation, such as a newborn child or a guest. A qualified local scholar can guide you.

A person who cannot afford it should not worry. Allah does not burden anyone beyond their ability, as Quran 2:286 teaches.

What to give and how much

The Prophet ﷺ set the amount as one sa' of staple food. A sa' is an old measure of volume, not of weight. The foods named in the hadith include dates, barley and raisins. Today many people give the main food of their area, such as rice or wheat.

Because a sa' is a measure, its weight is different for each food. Local religious authorities publish an amount each year, so follow the amount given by your local authority or scholar.

Scholars differ on the form of payment. The Hanafi school says that you may give the money value instead of food. Most other scholars say that food should be given. Many charities collect money and buy food for families, which makes giving easy.

When to pay and who receives it

The best time is on the morning of Eid, before the Eid prayer. The Prophet ﷺ ordered that it be paid before people go out to pray.

The Companions gave it one or two days before Eid. So it is commonly allowed to pay a few days early, but scholars differ on how early. If you pay after the prayer, it is counted as normal charity. If you forgot, pay as soon as you remember.

It is given to the poor and the needy. If you use a charity, be sure that it can reach people in time for Eid.

A simple checklist

Use these steps to make it easy.

  • Find the amount that your local authority publishes for this year.
  • Count the people you must pay for, including yourself.
  • Make the intention and pay before the Eid prayer, directly or through a trusted charity.
  • Check that the food or money will reach the poor in time.

General information for learning, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.

Sources

  • Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Zakat)
  • Sahih Muslim (Book of Zakat)
  • Sunan Abi Dawud (Book of Zakat)
  • Quran 2:286