Zakat al Fitr, also known as Fitrana, is an obligatory means of charity which must be paid upon breaking the last fast of Ramadan, and otherwise, just before the Eid prayer.
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on all Muslims. It has been narrated that The Messenger of Allah SAW made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language and to feed the poor.” [Abu Dawood]
Another Hadith on Zakat al Fitr tells us that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, obligated payment of charity at the end of Ramadan, a portion of dates or barley, upon slave and freeman, male and female, young and old among the Muslims. The Prophet ordered it to be given before people go out for Eid prayer. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Zakat-al-Fitr is upon every believer who can afford to pay it. Many scholars state that at the start of Shawwal, anyone who has enough to pay Zakat al Fitr, along with food for himself and his family, must pay Zakat al Fitr. This would mean that the one who has enough to feed themselves and their family are obliged to give Zakat al Fitr. The donation must be paid by every Muslim, this includes children of all ages from birth till adulthood, due to this, the guardian of the child must pay on behalf of them.
The one who cannot afford food for themselves are not required to pay Zakat al Fitr, as it is in place to help those in difficult financial circumstances. Donating the money around the time of Eid gives a chance for all Muslim believers to celebrate the day, allowing Muslims to feed the vulnerable in society.
According to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), the Zakat al Fitr amount is one Saa’. A companion of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) is reported to have said “The Messenger of Allah SAW made Zakat al-Fitr, one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old.” [Bukhari]. A saa’ is thought to be equivalent to three kilograms of rice, which currently is considered to be at the value of £5 per person.
Zakat al Fitr should be donated in the form of staple food. It is, however, permissible to give money to someone who can pay it for you in the form of food. When donating your Zakat al Fitr payment, charities use your money to buy food for the needy, which is given to them on behalf of you. You can pay Zakat al Fitr to UK Islamic Mission to assure yourself of a timely donation made.
Zakat-al-Fitr must be given before the Eid prayer. The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) ordered for the payment to be donated before Eid prayer. If delayed, the payment is considered to be a normal charity. For the promise of Zakat al Fitr to be achieved, it must be paid before leaving to go pray your Eid prayer, ensuring it reaches the needy on time. It is permissible for the Zakat al Fitr payment to be made in the last few days of Ramadan to make sure the payment is made in time.
Zakat al Fitr must be given to the poor and needy. The reason behind this is to ensure everyone in the community gets to eat a good meal on the blessed day of Eid. This teaches the believer to remember the vulnerable at all times, especially during the times of joy.
It is in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) to delay the Eid al Fitr prayer to allow the believers to have time to give their Zakat al Fitr to those who need it most. This is the reason why it is Sunnah to have breakfast on the day of Eid al Fitr before going for the Eid prayer, contrary to Eid al Adha where breakfast is done after the prayer.
Charity has always been an important aspect in Islam. Allah tells us various times in the Quran about the responsibility of the believer to look after the orphan and feed the poor. The month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the believers to engage in acts of charity, contributing to the welfare of those in a disadvantaged position. Though the payment of Zakat and Sadaqah can be made during any time of the year, Zakat al Fitr is obliged to be paid during the last few days of Ramadan, to purify the deed of the fasting person and also ease the difficulty of the vulnerable one.
“O you who have believed, spend from that which we have provided for you before there comes a day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers, they are the wrongdoers.” [Quran 2:254]
Copyright © 2026 UKIM All Rights Reserved.
UK Registered Charity Since 1962
Charity Registration No. 250275
