What zakat al-Fitr is, who pays it, what and how much, and when, with the differences between the schools.
Zakat al-Fitr (also called sadaqat al-fitr) is paid at the end of Ramadan. It is different from the zakat on wealth: it is due on people, not on savings.
What the reports say
- Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet ﷺ enjoined one sa‘ of dates or one sa‘ of barley as zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old, and ordered that it be paid before people went out to the Eid prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503).
- Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that they used to give a sa‘ of food, barley, dates, cottage cheese or raisins (Sahih al-Bukhari 1506).
- Ibn Umar reported that people later substituted half a sa‘ of wheat, that he himself gave dates, and that people used to give it a day or two before Eid (Sahih al-Bukhari 1511).
The practical points
- Who pays: the head of the household pays for themselves and for those they support. Ibn Umar gave on behalf of children as well.
- How much: a sa‘ is a traditional measure, about 2.5 to 3 kilograms of the staple food. Local scholars usually announce the amount each year.
- When: before the Eid prayer, and it can be given a day or two earlier.
Key points
- Zakat al-Fitr is a small obligatory charity paid at the end of Ramadan, on behalf of each person.
- The Prophet ﷺ enjoined a sa’ of dates or barley on every Muslim, and ordered that it be paid before the people go out to the Eid prayer.
- It could be paid a day or two before Eid, as reported of Ibn Umar.
- Schools differ on whether food or its cash value is given, and on when it may be paid early.
Hadith
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:We used to give one Sa' of meal or one Sa' of barley or one Sa' of dates, or one Sa' of cottage cheese or one Sa' of Raisins (dried grapes) as Zakat-ul-Fitr.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 1506 .
Narrated Nafi`:Ibn `Umar said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or said Sadaqa-Ramadan)." The people then substituted half Sa' of wheat for that. Ibn `Umar used to give dates (as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr). Once there was scarcity of dates in Medina and Ibn `Umar gave barley. 'And Ibn `Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul- Fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children. Ibn `Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the `Id.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 1511 .
Hadith text and grading above are shown as supplied by their source. HikmahBridge does not grade Hadith itself. See Sources & Methodology.
Scholarly notes
Food or value: the Maliki, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools generally require giving food, a sa’ of the local staple; the Hanafi school allows giving its cash value. The amount: the weight of a sa’ differs with the type of grain, and the Hanafi school also uses half a sa’ of wheat, following the practice mentioned in the report above. Early payment: the Maliki and Hanbali schools allow it a day or two before Eid, as in the report; the Shafi‘i school allows it from the start of Ramadan; the Hanafi school allows it at any time. Follow your school or a trusted teacher.
FAQ
Can I give zakat al-Fitr as money?
The Hanafi school allows giving the cash value; the other schools generally require food. Many mosques collect it and distribute it for you.
What if I forget to give it before the Eid prayer?
Give it as soon as you remember and ask Allah for forgiveness. Ask your local teacher about how your school views late payment.
Report a correction. HikmahBridge is an educational resource, not a replacement for a qualified scholar or teacher.