Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana): amount, timing, and who pays
Zakat al-Fitr — also called Fitrana or Sadaqat al-Fitr — is a separate, obligatory charity given at the end of Ramadan. It is small, fixed per person, and paid before the Eid prayer, not a percentage of your savings.
Zakat al-Fitr is due from every Muslim who has more than a day's food, paid on behalf of each household member. It is about one sa' of staple food (roughly 2.5–3 kg) or its cash equivalent set by local charities each year, and must reach the poor before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It is entirely separate from annual wealth Zakat.
A different obligation from wealth Zakat.
Zakat al-Fitr is tied to the person, not to a year's accumulated wealth. Its purpose is twofold: to purify the fasting person from lapses during Ramadan, and to ensure that even the poor have food to celebrate Eid. Because it is per head and fixed in size, it is not calculated with the 2.5% formula used for Zakat al-Mal.
Paying Zakat al-Fitr does not discharge your annual wealth Zakat, and vice versa. They are two distinct duties with different bases.
Per person, for the household.
It is due from every Muslim who has food in excess of their needs for the day and night of Eid. The head of a household commonly pays on behalf of dependants — spouse, children, and others in their care — giving one portion for each person.
Because the threshold is simply having more than a day's food, far more people owe Zakat al-Fitr than owe wealth Zakat: it is expected of most households, not only the wealthy.
One sa' of staple food — or its value.
The measure is one sa' per person: a volume of the local staple food such as wheat, barley, dates or rice, commonly estimated at roughly 2.5 to 3 kilograms. Many contemporary scholars and charities allow the cash equivalent to be given instead, and publish a set per-person rate each Ramadan so it can be paid easily.
The cash value differs by country, staple food and year. Use the figure your local mosque or a trusted Zakat charity announces for the current Ramadan.
Before the Eid prayer.
Zakat al-Fitr should reach eligible recipients before the Eid al-Fitr prayer so that it serves its purpose on the day itself. It is permitted to give it a day or two earlier through a charity that will distribute in time. Given after the prayer, it is generally counted as ordinary charity rather than fulfilling the obligation.
Plan a few days ahead. If you pay through a charity, give early enough in Ramadan for the food or funds to reach recipients before Eid.
Questions people ask.
Is Zakat al-Fitr a percentage of my wealth?+
No. It is a small fixed amount per person — about one sa' of staple food or its cash value — regardless of how much wealth you hold. The 2.5% percentage applies only to annual wealth Zakat.
Do I pay Zakat al-Fitr for my children?+
Yes, the head of the household commonly pays one portion on behalf of each dependant, including children. Some also pay on behalf of an unborn child, though this is considered optional.
Can I pay it in cash?+
Many scholars and charities permit the cash equivalent and publish a per-person rate each Ramadan. Others prefer actual food. Follow the guidance you trust and your local charity's arrangements.
Use the private calculator.
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