Get the Muslim Alim app
Zakat al-Fitr and Zakat al-Maal: Who Pays, How Much and When
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It takes two forms: the charity given at the end of Ramadan and the annual zakat on wealth.
Zakat al-Fitr: the charity at the end of Ramadan
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar reports: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made zakat al-Fitr obligatory: one sa‘ of dates or one sa‘ of barley, on the slave and the free, the male and the female, the young and the old among the Muslims, and he commanded that it be given before the people go out to the prayer” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1503).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who pays? | Every Muslim who has more than their needs on the day of Eid, for themselves and for those in their care |
| How much? | One sa‘ (about 2.5 to 3 kg) of staple food per person, or the amount set by mosques for payment in money |
| When? | Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer; it is permitted to give it one or two days earlier |
| To whom? | First of all to the poor and the needy |
Its purpose, according to Ibn ‘Abbas: to purify the fasting person from idle talk and to give the poor something to eat on the day of the festival (Abu Dawud, 1609). The schools differ on paying in money: the Hanafi school accepts it, the other three prefer food. See the four schools of Islamic law.
Zakat al-Maal: the annual zakat on wealth
Zakat al-Maal applies to money, savings, gold, silver, goods meant for sale and, under their own rules, crops and livestock. Three conditions apply to savings:
- Reach the nisab: the value of 85 g of gold (some scholars take 595 g of silver, which is more favourable to the poor).
- Hold this amount for one full lunar year (hawl), about 354 days.
- Pay 2.5% of the total, that is one fortieth.
Zakat calculation example
| Situation | Calculation | Zakat due |
|---|---|---|
| €10,000 of savings kept all year, above the nisab | 10,000 × 2.5% | €250 |
| €25,000 in a savings account and €3,000 in a current account | 28,000 × 2.5% | €700 |
| Savings below the nisab | — | No zakat |
To find today’s nisab, multiply the price of one gram of gold by 85. Debts due in the short term may be deducted according to many scholars; if in doubt, ask the imam of your mosque.
Who should receive zakat?
Allah says: “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect it and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled and for freeing captives and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the stranded traveller” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60).
The month of fasting is also explained on our Ramadan 2027 page, and the duas of this period in the dua for breaking the fast.
Also worth reading
All of Prayer & worship
Ramadan 2027: Start Date and Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan 2027 (1448) expected to start Monday 8 February 2027. Eid al-Fitr date, Laylat al-Qadr, length of the fast and how to prepare.
The Adhan and the Iqamah
Learn the Adhan and the Iqamah phrase by phrase: Arabic text, transliteration, English translation and audio, including the extra line of the Fajr call.
Tawaf and Sa'i counter
Count your 7 circuits around the Kaaba and your 7 trips between Safa and Marwah without losing track. A free counter for Hajj and Umrah, with rite reminders.
Essential duas in Arabic and English
Over 30 authentic duas sorted by situation: morning and evening, sleep, meals, travel, protection, illness, study. Arabic text, transliteration and English.
Paradise and Hell
Jannah and Jahannam in the Quran: 41 verses on Paradise, 40 on Hell, with tafsir. The gates, levels, delights and punishments of the two final abodes.
Our apps and websites
All our free apps and websites: Muslim Alim, Coran Alim, learn Arabic, French, German and English, AICKO WORD, AICKO TABLE and AICKO IPTV.
You may be wondering…
How much is zakat al-Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is one sa‘ of staple food (about 2.5 to 3 kg of wheat, rice, dates or semolina) per member of the household. Each year, major mosques and Muslim organisations publish a cash amount for those who pay in money: ask your local mosque.
When should zakat al-Fitr be given?
It must be given before the Eid al-Fitr prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1503). The Companions gave it one or two days before Eid (Bukhari, 1511). If given after the prayer, it counts only as ordinary charity.
How do you calculate zakat al-Maal?
Add up the money and savings you have held for one lunar year. If the total exceeds the nisab (the value of 85 g of gold), the zakat is 2.5% of that total. Example: €10,000 saved all year gives €250 of zakat.
Who should receive zakat?
The Quran names eight categories of recipients (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60): the poor, the needy, those who collect it, those whose hearts are to be reconciled to Islam, the freeing of captives, those in debt, the cause of Allah and the stranded traveller. It is not given to one’s parents, children or spouse, whom one already supports.
Who must pay zakat al-Fitr?
Every Muslim who has more than their needs on the day of Eid pays it for themselves and for those in their care: spouse and children, including the youngest (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1503).
Test your knowledge of Islam
3 questions, then as many rounds as you like.
Loading questions…
