CHARITY IN RAMADAN

Zakat Al-Fitr

Zakat al-Fitr is wajib (obligatory) on every Muslim at the end of Ramadan.

It is called “al-Fitr” because it becomes due when the fast is broken and Eid begins.

It is paid for yourself, and also for anyone you are financially responsible for (like dependants you must provide for).
It becomes due if you have more than what you and your dependants need for the day and night of Eid.
The amount is one ṣāʿ (a fixed measure of staple food).
It does not have the usual zakah conditions:
- There is no minimum wealth threshold (niṣāb) required for Zakat al-Fitr.
- You do not need to have owned the money for a full year.
It’s not based on your assets:
- It isn’t calculated on what you own like property, savings, or cars.
- Rather, it’s a set obligation per person—for you and your dependants.

When does Zakat Al-Fitr become due?

It should be given before the Eid prayer, as is stated in the hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) “commanded that it should be given before the people went out to pray.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407).

For many scholars (including Shāfiʿī and Hanbalī), it becomes obligatory at sunset on the last day of Ramadan (i.e., when the night of Eid begins).

- Hanafī scholars have a different view: they say it becomes due at dawn on Eid day.
Who is included at that time (sunset)?
- If someone gets married, has a baby born, or becomes Muslim before sunset, then Zakat al-Fitr is due for them (and the new dependent, where applicable).
- If that happens after sunset, then it is not obligatory for the new wife/newborn/new Muslim (though giving voluntarily is fine).
If someone dies around that time
- If a person dies after sunset (after it became due), then Zakat al-Fitr should be given on their behalf (from their wealth).
- If they died before sunset, then it was not due for them.

Amount of Zakat Al-Fitr

How much is Zakat al-Fitr?
- It is one sāʿ of staple food per person (e.g., rice, dates, barley, etc.).
Evidence (hadith):
- Abu Saʿīd al-Khudrī (raḍiyAllāhu ʿanhu) said they used to give “one sāʿ of food” as Zakat al-Fitr.
What is a “sāʿ”?
- A sāʿ is a measure of volume, and it equals four mudd — i.e., roughly four double-handfuls.
Why does the weight differ?
- Because it’s volume-based, the weight changes depending on the food (rice weighs differently to flour, dates, etc.), so if you weigh it, make sure it equals a full sāʿ of that specific food.
Practical estimate:
- A commonly used approximation is that one sāʿ is about 3 kg of rice (approximate, and it can vary).

Types of things that may be given as Zakat Al-Fitr

It should be given before the Eid prayer, as is stated in the hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) “commanded that it should be given before the people went out to pray.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407).
Zakat al-Fitr should be given as edible food (fit for people to eat), not non-food items.
Examples mentioned in the Sunnah include dates and barley (Bukhari 1408), and Abu Sa‘eed (ra) also mentioned that their food included barley, raisins, dried yoghurt (aqit), and dates.
The best practice is to give the local staple food that people commonly eat where you live—such as rice, wheat, dates, lentils, etc.
Imam al-Shafi‘i stated that if a people’s staple is corn, millet, barley, rice, or similar grains, they may give that as Zakat al-Fitr.
Imam al-Nawawi explained (in the Shafi‘i school) that what is given should generally be from food types on which zakah is paid (like grains/fruits), and he mentioned that aqit, cheese, and milk are accepted, while other non-staple items are not.

Who is eligible for Zakat Al Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr should be distributed like zakah al-māl (to the eligible zakah recipients)

The poor
The needy
Slaves seeking freedom (those in a contract to buy their freedom)
Debtors
Those fighting in the way of Allah
Wayfarers (stranded travellers)

General Zakat in Ramadan

Obligatory zakah has a due date. It becomes due when one Hijri (lunar) year has passed since you first owned the niṣāb (the minimum amount that makes zakah payable).
Once it becomes due, you should pay it straight away. You should not delay it unless you have a valid Shar‘i reason.
Don’t postpone it just to pay in Ramadan. Paying good deeds in Ramadan is virtuous, but you can’t delay zakah past its due date just to wait for Ramadan—except for a very short delay (like a week or two), or a genuine excuse.
Simple rule:
- If your zakah year finishes in Rajab, pay in Rajab.
- If it finishes in Muharram, pay in Muharram.
- If it finishes in Ramadan, then paying in Ramadan is perfect.