Sadaqat al-Fitr: who pays it, how much, and when?
The question as asked, details removedOn whom is fitrah wajib, how much is it, and by when must it be given?More
This is a sample answer written to show how the site works. It follows the standard Hanafi books, but no mufti has reviewed or signed it yet, so it is not a fatwa. For a real answer, ask a question. Ask a mufti
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِكِ الْوَهَّابِ اَللّٰهُمَّ هِدَايَةَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
1Short answer
Sadaqat al-Fitr is wajib on every Muslim who, on the morning of Eid al-Fitr, owns wealth equal to the nisab beyond their basic needs, even if a year has not passed. It is half a sa' of wheat (about 2 kg) or its value, per person, paid for oneself and one's minor children, preferably before the Eid prayer.
2Detailed answer
Sadaqat al-Fitr becomes wajib at dawn on the day of Eid al-Fitr on a Muslim who owns the nisab beyond their basic needs. Unlike zakat, a year does not have to pass, and things beyond one's needs, not only cash and gold, count towards the nisab.
The amount per person is half a sa' of wheat (about 2 kg), or one sa' of dates, barley or raisins (about 4 kg), or the value of either. The darul ifta announces the amount in local currency each Ramadan.
- Pay for yourself and for your minor children who do not have their own wealth.
- It is not wajib on you for your wife or adult children, but you may pay for them with their permission.
- The best time is before the Eid prayer; paying earlier in Ramadan is also valid.
- If it is not paid on Eid, it does not lapse; it remains owed until paid.
- It goes to the same people who may receive zakat.
3Evidence and sources
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Zakat, hadith 1503
- Al-Hidayah, chapter on Sadaqat al-Fitr
- Bahar-e-Shariat, chapter on Sadaqat al-Fitr
Arabic texts, translations and how the ruling was derived
فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم زكاة الفطر صاعا من تمر أو صاعا من شعير على العبد والحر والذكر والأنثى والصغير والكبير من المسلمين، وأمر بها أن تؤدى قبل خروج الناس إلى الصلاة
Meaning: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made the zakat of Fitr obligatory: a sa' of dates or a sa' of barley, on every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old; and he ordered it to be paid before the people go out to the prayer.
Half a sa' of wheat in place of a full sa' of dates or barley is narrated from the Companions, and the Hanafi school follows it.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ