Zakat al-Fitr (also known as Fitrana) is a charitable donation of food that must be given before the Eid prayer on Eid al-Fitr. It can also be given before the end of the month of Ramadan. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin of the evening of Monday, 11th March 2024, and end of the evening of Tuesday, 9th April 2024.
Fitrana is obligatory for all Muslims (including babies and children) living in any household with more food than they need. However, the payment itself should be carried out by the head of the household, on behalf of themselves and their dependents.
Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported,
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordained Zakat al Fitr [Fitrana] to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere Sadaqah for the one who gives it after the prayer.”
Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah
At the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) the quantity of food needed to be given as Fitrana would be one saa’. This is equal to four madd. A madd is the amount that can be scooped up when one puts their hands together.
If we translate the amount needed for Fitrana into a monetary value based on the price of a staple food, such as flour or rice, it is approximately $18. Therefore, the amount due for each person is $18. This is the amount set by ANIC for 2024.
Any Muslim who has food in excess of their needs must pay Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana). Unlike Zakat, it is a duty on everyone in your household, including very young children and infants. Therefore, the head of the household, or parents and guardians, can pay for other members of the family who are unable to pay.
Zakat al-Fitr (or Fitrana) is sometimes referred to as Eid Fitrana or Sadaqatul Fitr. In all cases, these terms refer to the charitable donation that must be given before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Therefore, it must be given before the end of the month of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the blessed month of Ramadan. Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer on this day.
This year, Eid al-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. However, the exact date depends on the sighting of the moon for Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar.
Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana) is compulsory for every Muslim who possesses one saa’ of food which is not needed as a basic necessity for themselves or their family for the duration of one day and night.
Fitrana must be paid within the month of Ramadan. The latest it can be paid is before the Eid prayer begins so that those in need can benefit in time for Eid.
Every member of a household, including children and babies, must pay Fitrana. However, parents or guardians may pay on behalf of their children or dependents.
The majority of scholars hold the opinion that only the first two categories of the recipients of Zakat can receive Fitrana.
One of the conditions of Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana) is that it must be paid before the Eid prayer. If it is paid after Eid prayer, it will be treated as Sadaqah and the reward will be lesser.
An agent is someone who facilitates your paying of Zakat al Fitr (Fitrana). In many cases, it’s because they are better placed to distribute it.
You can pay them in currency because it is as if you are asking them to pay on your behalf. At Islamic Relief, we use that money to buy the food that we give to the appropriate recipients. Therefore, it is as if you are the one giving food rather than currency.
Yes, you can, according to the Hanafi Madhhab. The Shafi’i Madhhab also follows this ruling.
Visit our Zakat page for answers on frequently asked questions around Zakat.
