Zakat al-Fitr: Who Pays, How Much and When
Zakat al-fitr explained: who pays and for whom, the amount (one sa', about 2.5 to 3 kg of staple food), food versus cash across the schools, and the deadline.
This guide explains common views and sources. It is not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a scholar or imam you trust.
Zakat al-fitr (also called sadaqat al-fitr or fitrana) is a small, fixed charity due from every Muslim at the end of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) made it obligatory as one sa' of dates or one sa' of barley on every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old, and ordered that it be given before the people go out to the Eid prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503; Sahih Muslim 984). He described its purpose as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and indecency, and food for the poor (Sunan Abu Dawud 1609).
It is simple, but three questions come up every year: who pays for whom, how much, and food or money. This guide gives the views; for your own case ask a scholar or imam you trust.
Who pays, and for whom
Every Muslim who has food beyond their own needs for the day and night of Eid must pay it. It is not conditioned on the nisab for Hanafis in practice either; most Hanafi scholars require ownership of wealth equal to the nisab beyond basic needs, while the majority require only surplus food for the day. In either case, almost every working household pays.
The head of the household pays for:
- himself,
- his wife (majority; Hanafis say she pays for herself if she has wealth, but it is customary for the husband to pay),
- his children who are minors or dependent,
- parents and relatives he supports, living with him,
- a child born before sunset on the last day of Ramadan (and, in some views, a child born before Fajr on Eid).
Worked example: a family of two parents, three children and a grandmother who lives with them pays six shares. If the local mosque sets the amount at the equivalent of 8 units of currency per person, the family pays 48. A student living alone pays one share. A person who converted to Islam during Ramadan pays one share.
A person who did not fast (for illness or travel) still pays zakat al-fitr; it is tied to the Eid, not to the fast.
How much: one sa'
The sa' is a volume measure of the Prophet's time, four mudd (double handfuls). Converted to weight it depends on the food:
| Staple | Approximate weight of one sa' |
|---|---|
| Wheat flour | about 2.0 to 2.2 kg |
| Rice | about 2.5 to 2.7 kg |
| Dates | about 2.5 to 3.0 kg (varies with moisture) |
| Barley | about 2.0 kg |
| Raisins | about 2.5 kg |
Most authorities today say 2.5 to 3 kg of the local staple as a safe figure. Hanafis allow half a sa' of wheat (about 1.6 to 2 kg) on the strength of a companions' practice, but a full sa' of other foods.
The food should be what people in your area actually eat as a staple: rice in South and Southeast Asia, wheat or flour in the Middle East and the West, maize in parts of Africa, dates where they are a staple.
Food or cash
| School | Position |
|---|---|
| Hanafi | Paying the monetary value of the food is allowed and often preferred, because money lets the poor buy what they need |
| Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali | The food itself should be given, following the wording of the hadith; cash does not discharge the duty |
| Many contemporary councils and mosques | Collect cash and purchase food in bulk, or allow cash in Muslim-minority countries where the poor need money more than grain |
In practice, most mosques in Europe, North America, Turkey and South Asia announce a cash figure each Ramadan, calculated as the local price of about 2.5 to 3 kg of staple food. Typical 2026 figures were in the range of the cost of one or two meals, for example roughly 5 to 15 euros, pounds or dollars; Diyanet publishes a single figure for Turkey every year. If you follow a school that requires food, give food, or give to a charity that distributes food on your behalf before the Eid prayer.
When to pay
| Timing | Status |
|---|---|
| During Ramadan, from the first day | Allowed by Hanafis and Shafi'is; Malikis and Hanbalis allow from about two days before Eid |
| The last day or two of Ramadan | Established practice of the companions (reported by al-Bukhari) |
| From sunset on the last day until the Eid prayer | The main time; obligatory by then |
| After the Eid prayer | Late. Still must be given, but counts as ordinary charity |
For 2027, with Eid expected on Tuesday 9 March, aim to pay by the end of Sunday 7 March or Monday 8 March so that a charity or mosque can distribute it in time. Expected dates are on Eid al-Fitr 2027.
If you give online to a charity delivering food abroad, give early in the last week; a transfer on Eid morning will not reach anyone before the prayer.
Who receives it
The poor and needy of the Muslim community, first those close to you (relatives you do not support, neighbours), then the local poor, then further afield. Most people hand it to the mosque, which distributes it, or to a reliable charity. Zakat al-fitr may not be given to those you are obliged to support (your wife, children, parents), and the majority say it should go to Muslims.
A quick checklist
- Count every person in your household, including infants and dependants.
- Multiply by the amount set by your mosque, council or Diyanet, or by 2.5 to 3 kg of staple food.
- Decide food or cash according to your school and your community's practice.
- Pay by 7 or 8 March 2027 (expected), and certainly before the Eid prayer.
- Pay with the intention of zakat al-fitr, not general sadaqah.
Zakat al-fitr is separate from the annual zakat on wealth. For voluntary giving during the month, see sadaqah in Ramadan; for fidyah for missed fasts, see missed fasts, qada and fidyah. The month's full timeline is on Ramadan 2027.
Useful tools
Questions and answers
How much is zakat al-fitr?
One sa' of the local staple food per person: about 2.5 to 3 kg of rice, wheat, dates or similar. Where cash is accepted, it is the price of that amount of food; most councils and mosques announce a local figure each year, typically the cost of a meal or two.
Do I pay for my children?
Yes. The head of the household pays for everyone he supports: spouse (in most schools), children, and dependants living with him. A baby born before sunset on the last day of Ramadan is included.
Can I pay in money instead of food?
Hanafis allow paying the value in money and many contemporary councils follow this for convenience. Malikis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold that food is required. Many mosques collect cash and buy food with it, which satisfies both. Follow the practice of your community and ask a scholar if unsure.
What is the deadline?
Before the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid. Giving it a day or two before Eid is established practice. If you miss the prayer, give it anyway as soon as possible; it then counts as ordinary charity rather than zakat al-fitr.
I am poor myself. Do I still pay?
Only if you have food beyond your needs for Eid day and night. If not, you are among those who receive it.
Sources
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1503; Sahih Muslim 984 (one sa' of dates or barley, before the people go out to the prayer)
- Sunan Abu Dawud 1609 (purification for the fasting person and food for the poor)
- Sahih al-Bukhari (Ibn Umar: given a day or two before Eid; collection only)
- Qur'an 2:184 (feeding the poor)