Learn
Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana)
Zakat al-Fitr is a small charity every Muslim gives at the end of Ramadan. Ibn Abbas said it purifies the fasting person from idle talk and feeds the poor (Abu Dawud).
Who pays
Every Muslim who has food beyond the needs of the day of Eid pays for themself and those they support, including children. Many also pay for a baby born before Eid.
How much
One sa' (about 2.5–3 kg) of a staple food such as wheat, rice, dates or barley per person. The Hanafi school allows giving its value in money, which most mosques and charities in the West collect. Your local mosque announces the amount each year; it is usually around the price of a simple meal for a day.
When
It must be given before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It can be given a day or two before Eid, and in the Shafi'i and Hanafi schools from the start of Ramadan. In 2027 Eid al-Fitr is expected on March 9, depending on the moon sighting your mosque follows.
Questions
Is Zakat al-Fitr the same as zakat?
No. Zakat al-Fitr is per person and paid at the end of Ramadan. Zakat al-mal is 2.5% of savings above the nisab, paid once a lunar year. Use the zakat calculator for that.