Chapter: Zakāt al-Fiṭr

Zakāt al-Fiṭr is due from every Muslim who, at sunset on the eve of Eid, possesses a surplus above the food required for himself and his dependents, together with their essential needs, for that night and the following day—amounting to one sāʿ (a volumetric measure of roughly 2.6 kg). An outstanding debt does not excuse him from paying it unless repayment is being actively demanded.

He must pay it for himself and for any Muslim1 whose maintenance he bears, even if that support lasted only during the month of Ramadan. If he cannot cover everyone, he starts with himself, then his wife, then his slaves, then his mother, then his father, then his children, and thereafter the next of kin in the order of inheritance. A slave jointly owned by partners requires one sāʿ from them collectively. It is recommended to give it on behalf of a fetus. It is not obligatory for a wife who is in a state of nushūz (defiance). If a person for whom someone else is responsible pays his own zakāt al-Fiṭr without the guardian’s permission, it is valid.

The obligation becomes binding at sunset on the night of Eid al-Fiṭr. Whoever embraces Islam, acquires a slave, a wife2, or has a child born3 after that moment is not liable for their zakāt al-Fiṭr; if any of these events occur before sunset, he is liable.

It is permissible to discharge the duty only up to two days before Eid. On the day of Eid itself, paying it before the prayer is best; paying it during the rest of that day is disliked. Anyone who delays it beyond the day must still pay it but is considered sinful.

Section

One sāʿ must be given in the form of wheat, barley, their flour, their coarse flour (sawīq), dates, raisins, or dried curd (aqiṭ). If these five kinds are unavailable, any grain or fruit that people ordinarily consume as a staple will suffice, not