Zakat Fitrah for one person
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Zakat Fitrah for four people
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Zakat Fitrah or Zakat ul Fitr (also known as Fitrana or Zakat Fitri) is a charitable donation of food that must be given before Eid prayer, before the end of the month of Ramadan, for the love of Allah. Zakat Fitrah is compulsory upon every self-supporting adult Muslim who has food in excess of their needs, on behalf of themselves and their dependents.
Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained Zakat Fitrah [Fitrana] to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere Sadaqah for the one who gives it after the prayer.” [Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]
The quantity is described by the Prophet (PBUH) as one saa’ of food, and one saa’ is equivalent to four madd. A madd is the amount that can be scooped up when one puts their hands together. If we translate this into a monetary value based on the price of a staple food such as flour or rice, it is approximately S$6. Therefore the amount due for each person is S$6.
As Islamic Relief acts as a charitable agent, we can therefore be given the money to pay for the food beforehand which we will then spend where needed at the correct time to buy the food. As a result, this will be distributed among those people around the world that are in need.
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How much is Zakat Fitrah (Fitrana) per person?
At the time of the Prophet (PBUH) Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) would be given as one saa’. Therefore the quantity is described by Prophet (PBUH) as one saa’ of food (one saa’ is equivalent to four madd). A madd is the amount that can be scooped up when one puts their hands together.
We are frequently asked ‘how much is Eid Fitrana?’. If we translate this into a monetary value based on the price of a staple food such as flour or rice, it is approximately S$6. Therefore, the amount due for each person is S$6.
Who is it obligatory on to pay Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr)?
Any Muslim who has food in excess of their needs must pay Zakat Fitrah (Fitrana). Unlike Zakat, it is a duty on everyone in your household. Therefore, the head of the household, or parents and guardians, can pay on behalf of other members of the family.
What is Eid Fitrana (Fitrah)?
Fitrana, sometimes referred to as Eid Fitrana or Sadaqatul Fitr, is a charitable donation that must be given before the Eid al Fitr prayer. Therefore it must be given before the end of the month of Ramadan.
What is Sadaqatul Fitr?
Sadaqatul Fitr is an alternative name for Fitrana or Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr).
What are Fitrana’s other names?
Fitrana is also known as Zakat ul Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr. In English, it is known as ‘the charity of breaking the fast’. Another name for Fitrana is Zakat al-Fitrah, which translates to the charity of human nature, and in the Islamic jurisprudence it is defined as a compulsory charity to be made at the end of Ramadan.
How is the Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) different than the yearly Zakat payment?
Fitrana differs from the annual zakat in that the amount paid is not dependent on one’s earnings. According to the majority of scholars, it is obligatory for every Muslim who has enough provision for himself and his dependents beyond the needs of the day and night of Eid. According to the Hanafis, the one whose wealth reaches the nisab will be eligible to pay the Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr), just like for Zakat. The amount that they must pay is a fixed amount (S$5 in Singapore). You can calculate how much Zakat to pay here.
Another difference between Fitrana and Zakat is that Fitrana is a duty for everyone in the household. Therefore, the head of the household, or parents and guardians, should pay on behalf of other members of the family if they cannot do so. With Zakat, one does not have to pay Zakat on behalf of dependents.
Fitrana must be paid within the month of Ramadan. The latest it can be paid is before the Eid prayer begins so that those in need can benefit in time for Eid. However, the annual Zakat can be paid at any time during the year.
Is the Fitrana required of every Muslim?
According to the majority of scholars, Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) is obligatory for every Muslim who has enough provision for himself and his dependents beyond the needs of the day and night of Eid. According to the Hanafis, the one whose wealth reaches the nisab will be eligible to pay the fitrana, just like for Zakat.
When to pay Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) Fitrana?
Fitrana (Zakat ul Fitr) must be paid within the month of Ramadan. Most scholars agree that the latest it can be paid is before the Eid prayer begins so that those in need can benefit in time for Eid. However, some scholars state that Fitrana must be paid before the sunset of the final day in Ramadan.
Why do Muslims pay the Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) Fitrana at the end of Ramadan?
It can be difficult for Muslims to perform fasting according to what is most pleasing to Allah. Many Muslims are able to abstain from eating, drinking and marital relations during daylight hours, but very few are able to fast in the purer and higher sense of the act. This means refraining from all immoral behaviour and impure thoughts, as well as illnesses of the heart such as jealousy, greed, hatred etc. Many struggle to dedicate the month to Allah, and continue to preoccupy their daily lives and minds with unnecessary matters of dunya.
Therefore, paying Fitrana is a form of atonements for any shortcomings we may have had during the Holy month, and purifies our fasting.
Fitrana is also a means of expressing gratitude to Allah for giving us the blessing of another Ramadan, as well as a means of enabling our brothers and sisters in need to share the joy of Eid.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained Zakat ul Fitr to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy.
Who can receive Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) Fitrana?
The majority of scholars hold the opinion that only the first two categories of the recipients of Zakat can receive Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) Fitrana, which is:
- The poor.
- The needy.
Zakat Fitrah FAQs
What is Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr), and why is it paid?
Zakat Fitrah (Zakat ul Fitr) is incumbent on every Muslim who possesses one saa’* of food which is not needed as a basic necessity for themselves self or their family for the duration of one day and night.
*The quantity is described by Prophet (PBUH) as one saa’ of food. One saa’ is equivalent to four madd. A madd is the amount that can be scooped up when one puts their hands together.
Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained Zakat Fitrah to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere Sadaqah for the one who gives it after the prayer.” [Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]
When should Zakat Fitrah (Fitrana) be paid?
Zakat Fitrah Fitrana (Fitrana) must be paid within the month of Ramadan. The latest it can be paid is before the Eid prayer begins so that those in need can benefit in time for Eid.
Ibn Abbas narrates:
“It is accepted as Zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere Sadaqah for the one who gives it after the prayer.” [Abu Dawud]
Do children have to pay?
It is compulsory for every member of a household including children and babies to pay Zakat Fitrah (Fitrana). However, parents/guardians may pay on behalf of their children/dependents.
Who are the recipients of Zakat Fitrah?
The majority of scholars hold the opinion that only the first two categories of the recipients of Zakat can receive Fitrah.
Fitrah FAQs : Miscellaneous
Can I pay Zakat Fitrah late if I forget?
One of the conditions of Zakat Fitrah is that it must be paid before the Eid prayer. However, if paid after it will be treated as Sadaqah, therefore the reward will be lesser.
What do you mean when you say Islamic Relief acts as an agent and how does this allow me to pay in currency?
An agent is someone who facilitates your paying of Zakat Fitrah because they are better placed to distribute it. You can pay them in currency because it is as if you are asking them to pay on your behalf. We use that money to buy the food which we give to the appropriate recipients, therefore, it is as if you are the one giving food rather than currency.
Can you take Zakat Fitrah before the 27th of Ramadan?
Yes you can, according to the Hanafi Madh-hab. The Shafi’i Madh-hab also follows follows this ruling.
Visit our Zakat page or watch this YouTube video series for answers on frequently asked questions around Zakat.
