Who has to pay Zakat al-Fitr?

Every Muslim who has food beyond their immediate needs owes Zakat al-Fitr — for themselves and for every dependent in their household, including children. The head of household pays on behalf of the family.

How much is Zakat al-Fitr?

In the United States, Zakat al-Fitr typically falls between $10 and $15 per person. The amount is the cash equivalent of one sa’ of staple food, as established by the narration of Ibn Umar in Sunan Abi Dawud.

When should Zakat al-Fitr be paid?

Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. If paid after the prayer, it becomes voluntary Sadaqah rather than the obligatory Zakat al-Fitr.

What Is Zakat al-Fitr? Amount, Who Pays It, and When

Q: What is Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr (also called Fitrana or Sadaqah al-Fitr) is a mandatory charitable payment due from every Muslim at the end of Ramadan. It is paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, at a fixed per-person amount.

Zakat al-Fitr — sometimes called Sadaqah al-Fitr or Fitrana — is a charitable payment that every Muslim is required to give at the end of Ramadan. Unlike Zakat al-Mal, it is not based on how much you own. It is a fixed per-person amount owed by every Muslim who has food beyond their immediate needs. Its purpose: to ensure that people in need can celebrate Eid al-Fitr with dignity alongside everyone else.

How Is Zakat al-Fitr Different from Zakat al-Mal?

Zakat al-Mal is the annual 2.5% obligation on qualifying wealth. Zakat al-Fitr is different in almost every way: it is owed by every Muslim regardless of wealth, it is a fixed amount per person, it is paid once a year at the end of Ramadan, and it must be paid before the Eid prayer to count.

Who Has to Pay It?

Every Muslim who has food beyond their immediate needs owes Zakat al-Fitr — for themselves and for every dependent they support: spouse, children, and anyone they financially provide for. Children owe it too, but the head of household pays on their behalf. If a family of four can afford to, they pay four shares.

How Much Is It?

In the Prophet’s time it was paid in food — one saʿ of staple food such as dates or barley. As narrated by Ibn Umar: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed sadaqah at the end of Ramadan — one sa’ of barley and dried dates, payable by young and old, freeman and slave.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, 1613) Today most US Islamic organisations calculate the cash equivalent and publish an annual figure. This typically falls between $10 and $15 per person.

Where Most Needed | Orphan Sponsorship | Gaza Emergency

When Should It Be Paid?

Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. After that it becomes ordinary Sadaqah and does not fulfil the obligation. Scholars differ slightly on how early you can pay it: the Hanafi school permits paying it from the beginning of Ramadan; the Maliki and Hanbali schools allow one or two days before Eid; the Shafiʼi school permits paying from Ramadan’s start but recommends the last day before Eid. A widely-followed practical approach: pay it in the last 10 days of Ramadan, no later than the morning of Eid day before prayer begins.

Who Receives Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr goes to those in need — specifically the first two categories from the Quranic list of Zakat recipients (At-Tawbah 9:60). It is intended to give them the means to celebrate Eid, so that no one goes hungry on the day of Eid.

Is Zakat al-Fitr Tax-Deductible in the US?

Yes — if you give it to a registered US 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your Zakat al-Fitr payment qualifies as a charitable contribution for federal tax purposes. You can calculate your Zakat using our free calculator. We are a registered 501(c)(3) (Tax ID: 87-2410117) and send an automatic receipt with every donation.

Where Most Needed | Orphan Sponsorship | Gaza Emergency