Zakat ul Fitr (also known as Fitrana) is a charitable donation of food that must be given before Eid prayer, before the end of the month of Ramadan, for the love of Allah. Fitrana must also be given by every self-supporting adult Muslim who has food in excess of their needs, on behalf of themselves and their dependants.

Any Muslim who has food in excess of their needs must pay Zakat ul Fitr (Fitrana). Unlike Zakat, it is a duty on everyone in your household. Therefore, the head of the household, or parents and guardians, can pay on behalf of other members of the family.

Zakat al-Fitr can be paid during Ramadan, before Eid al-Fitr prayers at the latest, so that the poor can enjoy the day of Eid.

The amount of Zakat al-Fitr is the value of one meal, which must be received by the person in need before the Eid prayer. As such, we recommend that you make a donation as early as possible in Ramadan.

On the authority of ’Abdullah ibn ’Abbas, may Allah be pleased with both of them who said,

“The Messenger of Allah (saw) prescribed the Zakat al-Fitr as a purification of the fasting person from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. If anyone pays it before the prayer (of Eid), it will be accepted as Zakat. If anyone pays it after the prayer, that will be a Sadaqah like other Sadaqahs”. [Abu Dawud]