Zakat al-Fitr

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Zakat al-Fitr is charity given to the poor at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The word Fitr means the same as Iftar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast.



According to Islamic tradition (Sunnah), Ibn 'Umar said that Muhammad made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barley. [Sahih Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579][1]


On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allah's Messenger's (upon whom be God's peace and blessings) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins". [Sahih Muslim - English transl. vol. 2, p. 469, no. 2155][2]






  1. As a levy on the fasting person. This is based on the hadith: The Prophet of Allah said, "The fasting of the month of fasting will be hanging between earth and heavens and it will not be raised up to the Divine Presence without paying the Zakat al-Fitr."
  2. To purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.





Nafi` reported that the Prophet's companion Ibn 'Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eid. [Bukhari - Arabic/English, Vol. 2, p.339, no. 579]




The amount of Zakat is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one sa` (four double handfuls ) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn 'Umar's report that the Prophet made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a sa` of dried dates or a sa` of barley. Cash equivalent (of the food weight) may also be given if food collection and distribution is unavailable in that particular country.

A companion of Mohammed, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582] . According to the majority of Sunni scholars One Sa'a is approximately between 2.6 kg to 3 kg[citation needed].


  1. the poor
  2. the needy,
  3. collectors of Zakah,
  4. reconciliation of hearts,
  6. debtors
  7. in the Way of Allah / Islamic causes (fee sabeel illah)
  8. the traveler.

Zakat al-Fitr must go to the above-mentioned categories. The Zakat al-mal cannot be used for any other such things either.


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