Debt or Zakat Fitrah First? Here's What the Religious Affairs Ministry Says You Need to Know
JAKARTA — As Eid al-Fitr approaches, many young Muslims have begun asking themselves a common question: if one has outstanding debt, should one pay the debt first or fulfil the zakat fitrah obligation first?
The Regional Office of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta has clarified that the priority depends on the nature of the debt in question.
Adib, the head of the ministry’s Jakarta office, stated that overdue debts should be prioritised for payment. However, if after paying the debt there remains sufficient wealth to cover meal expenses on the night of and day of Eid al-Fitr, then an individual remains obligated to fulfil their zakat fitrah obligation.
“The priority is to pay debts that have come due. When the debt is paid and there remains sufficient wealth to meet meal needs on the night and day of Eid al-Fitr, then one remains obligated to pay zakat fitrah,” Adib said on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
Adib explained that zakat fitrah is not only paid for oneself but also for those who are dependants, such as a spouse, children, and even newborn babies.
Conversely, if the debt has not yet come due, the payment of zakat fitrah can be prioritised first.
According to Adib, both zakat fitrah and debt repayment are religious obligations in Islam that must be fulfilled according to each person’s individual circumstances.
The obligation of zakat fitrah is based on a hadith narrated by Ibn Umar, which states that the Prophet Muhammad made it obligatory for every Muslim, whether male or female, young or old, to give one sha’ of dates or grain, and it is recommended that this be fulfilled before the Eid al-Fitr prayer.
In addition to being a form of spiritual purification following the fasting of Ramadan, zakat fitrah also serves a social function: helping those in need so that they can celebrate Eid al-Fitr with dignity.
Based on the decision of the National Zakat Collection Board (BAZNAS) through Decision Number 14 of 2026, the amount of zakat fitrah for the year 1447 H/2026 CE has been set at 2.5 kilogrammes or 3.5 litres of rice per person, or can be replaced with money equivalent to 50,000 rupiah per person.
Zakat fitrah can begin to be fulfilled from the beginning of Ramadan and must be completed at the latest before the performance of the Eid al-Fitr prayer.