Muslims every year perform zakat al Fitr before the Eid prayer. They mostly perform it on the last days of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri calendar, when Muslims fast and do other good deeds such as reciting Quran, praying tarawih, and giving sadaqah.
When it comes to learning about zakat al fitr requires knowing its meaning, ruling on it in Islam, its purpose, and more. You can get all you need to know about zakat al fitr through this article.
Table of Contents
What is Zakat Al Fitr?
Zakat al Fitr is obligatory alms-giving worship that Muslims should perform at the end of Ramadan and before the Eid prayer. It’s a form of sadaqah (charity) that Muslims pay to help the poor and needy.
This worship means “zakat of breaking fast”. It’s also called “Sadaqat al fitr”, which means “charity of breaking fast of Ramadan”.
Zakat is the third pillar in Islam after prayer according to prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) hadith.
Prophet Muhammad said:
“Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the Salah (prayer), paying the zakat (obligatory charity), making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
You can learn about the pillar of Islam in detail with professional instructors online through the Islamic studies course.
How Much is Zakat Al Fitr in 2023?
Zakat al fitr in 2023 is different from one country to another. For instance, zakat al fitr per person in the USA equals $10, but in the UAE estimates $7.
Every country estimates the cost of zakat al fitr according to the amount of living and number of family members. The cost of zakat al fitr is expensive when the amount of living is high and vice versa
How to Calculate Zakat Al Fitr?
You can calculate zakat al fitr by volume measurement unit, which is Sa’. The amount should be one Sa’ of grain. The scholars explicated that the equalizing amount of one Sa’ is 5 pounds or 2.5 kilograms of wheat.
If you want to pay zakat al fitr in a form of food, it should be rice, flour, barley, dates, raisins, or corn.
When did Zakat Al Fitr become obligatory?
Allah obliged Muslims to pay zakat al fitr in the second Hijri year, the same year of fasting’s obligation.
When to pay Zakat al Fitr?
Muslims must pay zakat al fitr before Eid prayer time. You can pay it on the last day of Ramadan or the day before, as the companions did.
What is the Purpose Of Zakat Al Fitr?
The purpose of zakat al fitr is to help the poor and needy participate with others in celebrating Eid al Fitr, so they can feel the vibes of Eid which is full of joys.
The poor and needy who take zakat al fitr won’t need to ask for money or food on Eid, so they won’t be worried about the Eid basic needs.
Also, Paying zakat purifies Muslims’ hearts and money of stinginess and selfishness.
Is Zakat Al Fitr Obligatory?
Zakat al fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim, whether man or woman, young or adult, free or slave. Muslims who pay zakat should have a surplus of money, which equals one Sa’ of dates or barley.
Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) commanded all the Muslims to pay zakat al fitr one Sa’ of dates of barley.
Ibn Omar (RA) said: “The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, enjoined the payment of one Sa` of dates or one Sa` of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
One Sa’ equals 2.176 kilograms or 4.797 pounds. Muslims can pay zakat al fitr for themselves, their wife, and their children so they can pay on behalf of their families.
Who Receives Zakat Al Fitr?
Eight categories of people receive zakat al fitr, who are: the poor, the needy, zakat administrators, whose hearts are attracted to the faith, slaves or captives, debt-ridden, in the cause of Allah, and needy travellers.
According to the Quran, Allah (SWT) indicated the categories that deserve zakat:
“Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted ˹to the faith˺, for ˹freeing˺ slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and ˹needy˺ travellers. ˹ This is an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise” (Al Tawbah, 9:60)
Hadith on Zakat Al Fitr
The messenger of Allah (SAW) clarified the importance of zakat al fitr in the following prophetic narrations:
Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:” The fasting of the month of fasting will be hanging between earth and heavens, and it will not be raised to the Divine Presence without paying the Zakat al-Fitr.”
Ibn Abbas (RA) said:” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined Zakat al-Fitr so that those who fast are purified of their sins and the poor and needy people are enabled to arrange for their basic needs of food, clothing etc. Therefore, the sadaqah (charity) of the person who gives before the `Eid prayer is the real.”
Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) narrated “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) enjoined Zakat-ul-Fitr on the one who fasts to purify him from any indecent act or speech and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer and it is Sadaqah for the person who pays it after the Eid prayer.”
Difference Between Zakat Al Fitr and Zakat Al Mal
The main difference between Zakat al Fitr and Zakat al Mal is that Zakat al Fitr is paid after Ramadan and Zakat al Mal is paid after completing one year with money savings Surpassing the Nisab. Here are the details:
| Zakat Al Fitr | Zakat Al Mal |
| Muslims pay zakat al fitr for themselves and their family members.Zakat al fitr’s amount is one Sa’ or dates of barley, which equals 2 or 2.5 kilograms. | The Muslim pays zakat al-mal from his money. He performs it on his own.Zakat al-mal’s amount equals 2.5% of the savings per individual. |
| Zakat al fitr has no particular prescribed value. | Muslims pay zakat al-mal when savings equals the prescribed value“nisab” to 20 mithqals of gold or 200 dirhams of silver. |
| Muslims must Pay zakat al fitr at the end of Ramadan and before the Eid prayer. | Paying Zakat al-mal doesn’t require a fixed time, but it should be paid after one year of wealth possession. |
| Zakat al fitr includes specific forms of food such as dates, corn, rice, and parley. | Zakat al-mal covers four sorts which are: gold, silver, trade offers, fruits, planters, and cattle. |
What is the Virtues of Zakat Al Fitr?
Here are five virtues of zakat al fitr for Muslims you should know:
- Zakat al fitr is one of the worship that expiates sins. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH): “Giving charity wipes away sins just as water extinguishes fire.”
- Paying zakat purifies Muslim’s souls and money of selfishness and stinginess.
- Helping the poor and needy with zakat strengthens the bond among Muslims. It’s a form of brotherhood in Islam.
- Zakat as any other worship that brings closeness to Allah.
- The Muslim who pays zakat will be safe on Judgement day and will get a great reward {Indeed, those who believe, do good, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax will receive their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.} (Al Baqarah, 2:277).
Conclusion
Zakat al fitr is obligatory worship that requires paying a sum of money before the Eid prayer to help the poor and needy celebrate Eid. It’s estimated to be one Sa’ of dates or grain, which equals two kilograms approximately. All Muslims, whether they are men, women, adults, kids, free, or slaves, should pay zakat al fitr if they have a surplus of money.
Zakat al fitr has multiple virtues for Muslims. It purifies their souls and wealth, demonstrates brotherhood among Muslims, and helps them to be close to Allah.
Best Islamic Studies, Arabic, And Quran Courses:
Quran And Tajweed Courses
- Online Quran Classes For Kids
- Learn Quran Online With Tajweed
- Learn Tajweed Online For Kids
- Online Quran Ijazah Course
- Online Memorization Course
Arabic Courses
Islamic studies Courses:
- Islamic Studies Crash Course
- Islamic Aqeedah Course
- Learn Tafseer Quran
- Comparative Religions Course
- Purify Your Soul – Tazkiyah Course
- Hadith Courses
Ramadan-related articles:
