Pay Sadaqatul Fitr (Zakat al-Fitr, Fitrana) 2026
Current minimum rate: £5 per person
Sadaqatul Fitr, also known as Fitrana or Zakat al-Fitr, is a Wajib charity due at the end of Ramadan. It completes the fast by purifying shortcomings and ensures that the poor and needy can also celebrate Eid with dignity.
It should be paid before the Eid prayer. Paying early in Ramadan helps ensure it reaches families in time.
Hadith on Sadaqatul Fitr
The obligation, purpose, and timing of Sadaqatul Fitr are established through authentic narrations of the Prophet ﷺ. These form the basis of the Hanafi rulings.
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordained Zakat al-Fitr to purify the fasting person from indecent speech and actions, and to provide food for the needy. Whoever gives it before the Eid prayer, it is accepted as Zakat. Whoever gives it after the prayer, it is merely Sadaqah.”
Abu Dawood (1609), Ibn Majah (1827)
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ enjoined the payment of Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the Eid prayer.”
Bukhari (1503), Muslim (984)
“The fast remains suspended between Heaven and Earth until the Sadaqatul Fitr is paid.”
Reported by al-Mundhiri in At-Targhib wat-Tarhib
“Make them self-sufficient on this day.”
Daraqutni, Bayhaqi
Scholars explain that while fasting is valid without Sadaqatul Fitr, its full acceptance and completion are connected to fulfilling this obligation.
How much is Sadaqatul Fitr in 2026?
In the Hanafi school, the amount is based on the value of staple foods mentioned in the Sunnah. The minimum obligation is fulfilled by the wheat value. Those with greater means are encouraged to give more.
| Fitrana option |
Prophetic basis |
Suggested UK amount |
Recommended for |
| Minimum (wheat) |
½ Saaʿ (approx. 1.75kg) |
£5 |
Minimum obligation |
| Moderate (barley) |
1 Saaʿ (approx. 3.5kg) |
£10 |
Moderate households, those able to give more |
| Higher (dates or raisins) |
1 Saaʿ (approx. 3.5kg) |
£15+ |
Those who want to increase reward and benefit the poor more |
Simple guidance: £5 fulfils the duty. If you can afford it, paying £10 or £15+ helps more and is recommended.
Hanafi fiqh rules
1) Who must pay Sadaqatul Fitr?
Sadaqatul Fitr is Wajib upon every Muslim who, on the day of Eid, owns wealth equal to the Nisab
in excess of basic needs (such as housing, clothing, and essential living items).
- No one-year condition: Unlike Zakat, you do not need to have held this wealth for a full lunar year.
- Basic needs are excluded: Your home, essential clothing, and normal living necessities are not counted.
- Debt does not cancel it automatically: If you still have Nisab beyond needs, it remains due.
2) Who do you pay for?
- Yourself
- Minor children (who have no independent wealth)
Wife and adult children (Hanafi): They are responsible for their own payment if they own Nisab.
However, it is valid and common for the husband or father to pay on their behalf with consent (explicit or understood).
3) When does it become due?
- Wajib time: At dawn (Subh Sadiq) on Eid day
- Best time to pay: Before the Eid prayer
- Paying early: Permissible during Ramadan, and early payment helps it reach families before Eid
4) What about newborns and death?
- If a child is born before Fajr on Eid day, Sadaqatul Fitr is due for them
- If born after Fajr, it is not due for them
- If a person passes away before Fajr on Eid day, Fitr is not due on them
5) What happens if it is paid late?
One of the condition of Fitrana (Sadaqatul Fitr) is that it must be paid before Eid prayer. If Sadaqatul Fitr is not paid before Eid prayer, then it will count as general Sadaqah. Therefore the reward is lesser.
Who can receive Sadaqatul Fitr?
The recipients are the same as Zakat recipients, primarily the poor and the needy.
- The poor (Fuqarā’)
- The needy (Masākīn)
It cannot be given to parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, or one’s spouse. It may be given to eligible relatives such as siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, and in-laws if they are in need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
These FAQs are written to answer common questions in a clear way.
What is Sadaqatul Fitr (Fitrana or Zakat al-Fitr)?
Sadaqatul Fitr, also called Fitrana or Zakat al-Fitr, is a Wajib charity at the end of Ramadan. It purifies shortcomings in the fast and helps the poor and needy prepare for Eid.
How much is Sadaqatul Fitr in the UK?
The minimum UK amount is £5 per person. Many people choose to give more, such as £10 (barley level) or £15+ (dates/raisins level),
especially if they are able, as it benefits the poor more.
Can I pay Sadaqatul Fitr in cash?
Yes. In the Hanafi school, paying the cash equivalent is fully valid and is often more useful today, because it allows the needy to buy what they actually require for Eid.
When should Sadaqatul Fitr be paid?
It is best to pay before the Eid prayer. It can be paid earlier during Ramadan so that distribution can reach families before Eid. If it is missed before the Eid prayer, it must still be paid as soon as possible.
What if I pay after the Eid prayer?
You have missed the best time, but the obligation remains. You must still pay it immediately. The special reward of paying before Eid prayer is missed, but the duty is still due.
Who is required to pay Sadaqatul Fitr?
Every Muslim who owns wealth equal to Nisab on Eid morning, beyond basic needs, must pay. Unlike Zakat, you do not need to hold the wealth for a full year.
Do I have to pay for my wife and adult children?
In the Hanafi school, a wife and adult children are responsible for their own payment if they own Nisab.
However, it is valid and common for the husband or father to pay on their behalf with consent (explicit or understood).
Do I pay for my minor children?
Yes. The head of the household pays on behalf of minor children who do not have independent wealth of their own.
Do I pay for a newborn baby?
If the child is born before Fajr on Eid day, Sadaqatul Fitr is due for them. If the child is born after Fajr, it is not due for them.
Do I pay for an unborn child (fetus)?
In the Hanafi school, it is not Wajib to pay for an unborn child. If the baby is born before Fajr on Eid day, payment becomes due for them.
Do I have to pay Sadaqatul Fitr if I did not fast?
Yes. Sadaqatul Fitr is separate from whether you fasted or not. If you meet the financial threshold, it remains Wajib, even if you missed fasts due to illness, travel, menstruation, pregnancy, or other valid reasons.
What is the difference between Zakat and Sadaqatul Fitr?
Zakat is 2.5% of qualifying wealth and normally requires that wealth to have been held for a lunar year.
Sadaqatul Fitr is a fixed amount per person due at the end of Ramadan and becomes due on Eid morning.
Who can receive Sadaqatul Fitr?
It is given to eligible Zakat recipients, mainly the poor and needy. It cannot be given to parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, or one’s spouse. It may be given to eligible relatives such as siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins if they are in need.
Can I send my Fitrana abroad?
Yes, it is permissible to send it abroad to eligible recipients. Many scholars advise valuing your payment based on where you live so you fulfil the obligation with certainty, especially if prices are very different.
Can I give Sadaqatul Fitr to a non-Muslim?
Sadaqatul Fitr follows Zakat recipient rules, and it should be given to eligible Muslim recipients in need.
For general charity to non-Muslims, give voluntary Sadaqah separately.
Can I pay early in Ramadan?
Yes. Paying early is permissible. It is often better in practice, as it helps ensure the charity reaches people before Eid.
Is Sadaqatul Fitr the same as Fidya or Kaffarah?
No. Sadaqatul Fitr is a fixed end-of-Ramadan charity due per person. Fidya and Kaffarah relate to missed fasts under specific rules and are calculated differently.
Why pay through us?
- We handle your payment as an Amanah (trust)
- Distribution is made to eligible recipients
- We aim to distribute before Eid where possible
- We follow Hanafi principles for Zakat and Fitrana distribution
Reminder: Please pay before Eid prayer where possible. If you have missed it, pay as soon as you can, it remains due.
