Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (RA):
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory, a measure of one ṣāʿ of dates or one ṣāʿ of barley, upon every Muslim, free or slave, male or female."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1504]
It is obligatory on all Muslims:
➊ Free and slave
➋ Male and female
➌ Young and old
Based on authentic narrations, the following can be given:
➤ Dates
➤ Barley
➤ Cheese (Aqit)
➤ Raisins
➤ Wheat (though some scholars disputed the quantity)
➤ Cash equivalent – as long as it is based on the value of 1 ṣāʿ of staple food
Preferred Weight Today:
One ṣāʿ ≈ 2.5 kg (approx.)
Preferred Method:
Give the staple food of the region if possible. If not, cash value is acceptable based on the needs of the poor and local practice.
➤ Before Eid prayer is the preferred and legislated time.
➤ Permissible to give it one or two days prior to Eid.
➤ If given after Eid prayer, it counts only as regular charity (ṣadaqah), not ṣadaqat al-fiṭr.
Narrated Ibn ʿAbbās (RA):
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr to purify the fasting person from idle talk and foul speech, and to feed the needy. Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is accepted as Zakat. Whoever gives it after the prayer, it is merely charity.”
[Al-Ḥākim: 1488 – Ṣaḥīḥ ʿalā sharṭ al-Bukhārī]
✔ Yes – Women, children, elderly – everyone must give, and needy from among them can receive.
✔ Yes – Cash may be given if it fulfills the value of the specified ṣāʿ, especially if it is more beneficial to the poor.
Practice supported by:
→ ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz
→ al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī
→ Abū Isḥāq al-Sabīʿī
→ And consensus of scholars over time in practical need
➤ Do not give to:
✘ Non-Muslims
✘ Wealthy people (unless falling under specific categories, e.g. indebted)
✘ One’s parents, grandparents, children, or spouse
➤ Can give to:
✔ Siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins – if they are poor
✖ Dividing Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr among the eight categories of zakāt recipients is incorrect.
→ Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr is specifically meant for the needy (masākīn).
✖ Giving less than 1 ṣāʿ (e.g., ½ ṣāʿ) is not valid.
✖ Giving from ḥarām income makes the charity unaccepted.
❀ Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr is a powerful means to purify your fasts, bring joy to the poor, and complete your Ramadan worship with acceptance.
✔ Must be pure, in proper amount, and given on time.
◈ Definition of Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr:
Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr refers to the obligatory charity given at the end of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer.Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (RA):
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory, a measure of one ṣāʿ of dates or one ṣāʿ of barley, upon every Muslim, free or slave, male or female."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1504]
Who Is Obligated to Pay Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr?
It is obligatory on all Muslims:➊ Free and slave
➋ Male and female
➌ Young and old
Permissible Items for Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr:
Based on authentic narrations, the following can be given:➤ Dates
➤ Barley
➤ Cheese (Aqit)
➤ Raisins
➤ Wheat (though some scholars disputed the quantity)
➤ Cash equivalent – as long as it is based on the value of 1 ṣāʿ of staple food
Preferred Weight Today:One ṣāʿ ≈ 2.5 kg (approx.)
Preferred Method:Give the staple food of the region if possible. If not, cash value is acceptable based on the needs of the poor and local practice.
When Should It Be Given?
➤ Before Eid prayer is the preferred and legislated time.➤ Permissible to give it one or two days prior to Eid.
➤ If given after Eid prayer, it counts only as regular charity (ṣadaqah), not ṣadaqat al-fiṭr.
Narrated Ibn ʿAbbās (RA):
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr to purify the fasting person from idle talk and foul speech, and to feed the needy. Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is accepted as Zakat. Whoever gives it after the prayer, it is merely charity.”
[Al-Ḥākim: 1488 – Ṣaḥīḥ ʿalā sharṭ al-Bukhārī]
Can Women and Children Give/Receive Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr?
✔ Yes – Women, children, elderly – everyone must give, and needy from among them can receive.
Can It Be Given in Money?
✔ Yes – Cash may be given if it fulfills the value of the specified ṣāʿ, especially if it is more beneficial to the poor.Practice supported by:
→ ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz
→ al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī
→ Abū Isḥāq al-Sabīʿī
→ And consensus of scholars over time in practical need
Invalid Recipients & Cautions:
➤ Do not give to:✘ Non-Muslims
✘ Wealthy people (unless falling under specific categories, e.g. indebted)
✘ One’s parents, grandparents, children, or spouse
➤ Can give to:
✔ Siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins – if they are poor
Misconceptions to Avoid:
✖ Dividing Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr among the eight categories of zakāt recipients is incorrect.→ Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr is specifically meant for the needy (masākīn).
✖ Giving less than 1 ṣāʿ (e.g., ½ ṣāʿ) is not valid.
✖ Giving from ḥarām income makes the charity unaccepted.
Conclusion:
❀ Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr is a powerful means to purify your fasts, bring joy to the poor, and complete your Ramadan worship with acceptance.✔ Must be pure, in proper amount, and given on time.
