Zakat Fitrah: Rulings, Timing, and Distribution

Zakat Fitrah is a Ramadan-specific act of worship in addition to the obligatory fasting. Put simply, this practice is performed during the holy month of Ramadan. Zakat Fitrah is obligatory for every Muslim individual, whether adult or not. Accordingly, one of the pillars of Islam is also known as zakat al-nafs (the zakat of the soul). From Ibn Umar, he said, ‘The Prophet Muhammad SAW imposed the zakat fitrah of one saa’ of dates or barley upon slaves, free men and women, boys and men, and all those of the Muslim community, and commanded them to pay it before they go out for the prayer (id)’ (mutafaq ‘alaih). The obligation of zakat fitrah is not only for the individual Muslim. It must also be paid for all people under one’s guardianship. For example, if so-and-so is a head of a family, he is obliged not only to pay zakat fitrah for himself but also for his wife and children. The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, ’Give zakat fitrah on behalf of those who are under your guardianship.’ If on the day of Ramadan a person has wealth only sufficient to pay the fitrah for one person, that wealth should be used to fulfil zakat fitrah for himself. The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, ‘Begin with yourself; then if there is a surplus, give to your dependants’ (HR an-Nasa’i). Zakat fitrah is paid during Ramadan, usually in the final days of the month. Clearly, this zakat should be discharged before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. If paid after Eid al-Fitr, the zakat fitrah is not valid. This act is then simply ordinary charity.