Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana)

What is Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana)?

Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana) is an obligatory charity of food for the poor and needy, given at the end of Ramadan before the Eid prayer. Every Muslim with food in excess of their needs must give Zakat al-Fitr, either personally or on behalf of each household member.

Ibn ’Abbas (RAA) narrated:

, “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) enjoined Zakat-ul-fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer and it is Sadaqah (i.e. voluntary charity) for the person who pays it after the Eid prayer.”

[Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]

The Prophet (SAW) described the quantity as one saa’ of food, equal to four madd. A madd is the amount of food one can scoop with both hands together. Translated into today’s value using staple foods like flour or rice, it equals about £5. So, each person must pay £5.

How much is Fitrana (Zakat al Fitr) per person?

During the time of the Prophet (SAW), Muslims gave Fitrana (Zakat al Fitr) as one saa’. The Prophet (SAW) set the quantity as one saa’ of food, equal to four madd. A madd is the amount that can be scooped up when one puts their hands together.

Many people frequently ask, “How much is Eid Fitrana?”. In today’s terms, based on the price of staple foods like flour or rice, it equals about £5. So, each person owes £5.

Who is it obligatory on to pay Fitrana (Zakat al Fitr)?

Every Muslim with food beyond their needs must pay Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana). Unlike Zakat, it applies to every member of the household. The head of the household, parents, or guardians can pay on behalf of other family members.

What is Eid Fitrana?

Muslims give Fitrana, sometimes called Eid Fitrana or Sadaqatul Fitr, as a charitable donation before the Eid al Fitr prayer. They must give it before the end of Ramadan.

What is Sadaqatul Fitr?

Sadaqatul Fitr is an alternative name for Fitrana or Zakat al Fitr.

What are Fitrana’s other names?

People also call Fitrana by other names such as Zakat ul Fitr, Sadaqatul Fitr, or Zakat al-Fitrah. In English, it means “the charity of breaking the fast.” Islamic jurisprudence defines it as a compulsory charity that Muslims give at the end of Ramadan.

How is the Fitrana 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.

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.

Muslims must pay Fitrana within the month of Ramadan. They should pay it before the Eid prayer so the needy can benefit in time for Eid. In contrast, Muslims can pay annual Zakat at any time of the year.

When to pay Fitrana

Muslims must pay Fitrana (Zakat ul Fitr) within the month of Ramadan. Most scholars say Muslims should pay it before the Eid prayer so the needy can benefit in time for Eid. Some scholars add that Muslims must pay it before sunset on the final day of Ramadan.

Why do Muslims pay the 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 the 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 (SAW) enjoined Zakat-ul-fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy.

[Abu Dawud]