Baznas Clarifies Position on Paying Zakat Fitrah with Borrowed Funds

The National Zakat Management Body (Baznas)/Jakarta Provincial Islamic Welfare Board expressed its position on using borrowed funds to pay zakat fitrah. According to Prof. Bunyamin, Deputy Head IV of Human Resources at Baznas/Jakarta Provincial Islamic Welfare Board, there is no prohibition against using borrowed money to pay zakat fitrah, provided the debt was incurred for purposes other than meeting basic necessities, such as business development.

However, if a person is unable to pay zakat fitrah altogether, they are exempted from the obligation and instead become eligible as mustahik (poor and needy individuals entitled to receive zakat fitrah).

Zakat fitrah is a religious obligation incumbent upon every Muslim, male or female, to be performed during Ramadhan and completed before Eid al-Fitr. It serves two purposes: purification of the soul following the fasting period and a demonstration of social responsibility towards underprivileged members of society. The obligation is based on the hadith of Ibn Umar, which states that the Prophet Muhammad made zakat fitrah obligatory for all Muslims, commanding it to be paid before the Eid prayer.

Through zakat fitrah, the happiness and blessings of Eid al-Fitr are expected to be distributed more equitably, including to those in poverty who need assistance.

According to BAZNAS Chairman Circular No. 14 of 2026 concerning Zakat Fitrah and Fidyah Values for 1447 Hijri/2026 Common Era, the amount of zakat fitrah is fixed at 2.5 kilograms or 3.5 litres of rice or staple food per person, or equivalent to 50,000 Indonesian rupiah per person.

Zakat fitrah can be paid from the beginning of Ramadhan and must be completed before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Distribution to beneficiaries must occur before the Eid prayer to ensure the zakat provides maximum benefit to recipients.