What is Zakat al-Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is an obligatory charity due from every Muslim, male or female, young or old, who has more than their own and their dependents’ food for the night and day of Eid. Unlike zakat on wealth, it is due on the person rather than on savings, so you pay it for yourself and for everyone you are responsible for, such as your spouse and young children.
When is it paid?
- Recommended time: the morning of Eid, before the Eid prayer.
- Permitted: a day or two before Eid, which many people do so it reaches the poor in time.
- After the prayer: it counts as ordinary charity rather than Zakat al-Fitr, as its proper time has passed.
Food or money?
The majority of scholars hold that it is given as staple food (such as dates, wheat or rice, depending on the local staple), one prophetic sa‘ per person, which is roughly 2.5 to 3 kg depending on the food and school of thought. Many official Islamic bodies, however, allow paying the equivalent cash value to make it easier, and announce a set amount each year before Ramadan. That is why this calculator offers both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zakat al-Fitr due for children too?
Yes. It is due for every member of the household, including infants, and is paid on their behalf by their guardian (usually the father) from his own money.
What is the difference between Zakat al-Fitr and zakat on wealth?
Zakat al-Fitr is a fixed amount paid by each person who can afford it, regardless of how much they own. Zakat on wealth is a percentage (usually 2.5%) of savings that reach the nisab and are held for a full lunar year. Use our zakat calculator for that.
What if I am travelling or abroad at Eid?
What counts is where you are when it becomes due; you can pay it according to the staple food of that place, or send it to family or a trusted organization back home if that benefits the poor there more.