The Prophet (PBUH) enjoined the payment of one Sa'of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free,male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the Eid prayer."
- (Bukhari)
We give thanks to Allah (SWT) by donating Zakat-ul-Fitr,or Fitrana, to those who are most in need and without food. This act shows our undying gratitude to Allah (SWT) and for all that He has done for us.
This kind donation allows those less fortunate to join in the Eid festivities, which should be shared with everyone including family, friends and your Muslim brothers and sisters.
Sadly, there are many who find themselves in the unfortunate position of not having wealth or food to their name, and for this reason, Allah (SWT) encourages us to share what we have with our brothers and sisters. The Muslim community is built upon such values and even when we celebrate Eid, we should not forget the daily struggles of others.
What is Fitrana?
Zakat-ul-Fitr (Fitrana)is a compulsory act of charity that Muslims must pay at the end of Ramadan. The purpose of this payment is to allow those in poverty to take part in Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. Zakat-ul-Fitr is often mistaken for Zakat al-Mal, especially by those new to the Muslim community, but they are two completely different payments.
Zakat al-Mal, often referred to simply as “Zakat” although Fitrana is also a type of Zakat, is an obligatory payment that should be made once a Muslim’s personal wealth exceeds the nisab threshold. Zakat-ul-Fitr, however, should be paid by all Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
When Should You Pay Fitrana?
Zakat-ul-Fitr must be paid before Eid prayers commence to allow it to reach those who
need it in time. The exact time depends on the moon sighting as Eid
celebrations are directly tied to the lunar month. Fitrana payments will likely need to be made before the evening
moon sighting though this may change subject to the official sighting of the
moon.
Who Should Pay Zakat-ul-Fitr?
Every Muslim must
pay Zakat-ul-Fitr, regardless of age, if they have food in their possession
which is in excess of their own needs. The head of the household
may make the family’s payment on behalf of their dependents, but a contribution
must be made by or for each member of the home. This means that if you are
unable to make the payment yourself for whatever reason, you can ask the head
of your household (assuming this is not yourself) to
pay your Fitrana.
Who Receives Fitrana?
Fitrana is for the poorest people, who are struggling every day to feed themselves
and their family. BICS uses your Fitrana donations to
distribute money/food on your behalf amongst those most in
need. This helps those living in even the most desperate of conditions to
join in the Eid festivities.
How Much is Zakat-ul-Fitr 2023 in the UK?
The Zakat-ul-Fitr amount is based upon the current price of staple foods such as rice or flour for a specified weight. Currently, this means Fitrana is equal to approximately £6.00 per person.
