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ZAKAT-UL-FITR

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Zakat‑ul‑Fitr

Zakat‑ul‑Fitr is not named explicitly in the Qur’an, but it falls under the general verses of zakah and feeding the poor, such as:

  • “And establish prayer and give zakah…” ( 2:43, 9:60, many places). These ayat establish the principle of obligatory charity.

  • The verse of zakah recipients: “Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and the needy…” (9:60) – Zakat‑ul‑Fitr is also given to those categories, especially the poor, to provide food on Eid day.

So, scholars say Zakat‑ul‑Fitr is a specific, separate wajib charity established by the Sunnah of the Prophet under the general Qur’anic command of zakah and feeding the poor.

Main hadith about Zakat‑ul‑Fitr

  1. Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (purification and feeding the poor)
    Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) said:
    “The Messenger of Allah made Zakat‑ul‑Fitr obligatory as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and foul speech, and as food for the poor. Whoever pays it before the Eid prayer, it is an accepted zakah; and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just ordinary charity (sadaqah).” [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, graded hasan]

    Use this for: wisdom (hikmah), purpose, and timing (before Eid salah).

  2. Hadith of Ibn ‘Umar (one sa‘, who must pay)
    Ibn ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) said:
    “The Messenger of Allah made Zakat‑ul‑Fitr of one sa‘ of dates or one sa‘ of barley obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, free and slave, young and old, and he commanded that it be given before the people go out to the (Eid) prayer.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

    From this hadith you get:

    • Amount: one sa‘ (approx 2.5–3 kg by common fiqh estimates, depending on madhhab).

    • Who: every Muslim in the household, including children (and even slaves in that time).

    • Time: before Eid salah.

  3. Hadith of Abu Sa‘id al‑Khudri (types of food)
    Abu Sa‘id al‑Khudri (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said:
    “At the time of the Prophet we used to give Zakat‑ul‑Fitr as one sa‘ of food, or one sa‘ of dates, or one sa‘ of barley, or one sa‘ of raisins, or one sa‘ of dry cottage cheese (aqit).” [Bukhari]

    This is used to show it is paid from the staple food of the people (in many countries today: rice, wheat, etc.)

  4. It is wajib on every Muslim who has enough to spare for himself and his dependants for one day and night at the end of Ramadan.

  5. It must be given on behalf of each person in the household (including children), usually by the head of the family.

  6. The purpose:

    • Purification for the fasting person from mistakes in Ramadan.

    • Providing food and happiness for the poor on the day of Eid.

  7. Best time: from one or two days before Eid until before Eid salah; after that, reward is sadaqah, not Zakat‑ul‑Fitr.

  8. £7 per person – UK