Zakat al-Fitr 2026: Amount, Rules & When to Pay (UK Guide)
Everything you need to know about Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) for 2026. Current amount for the UK, who must pay, when to pay, and who can receive it.
Zakat al-Fitr (also called Fitrana or Sadaqat al-Fitr) is a compulsory charitable payment made at the end of Ramadan, before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It's separate from Zakat al-Mal (the annual wealth Zakat) and has its own rules.
Quick Reference: Zakat al-Fitr 2026
| Amount per person | £5 - £7 (varies by organisation) |
| Who pays | Every Muslim (head of household pays for dependants) |
| When to pay | Before Eid al-Fitr prayer (last days of Ramadan preferred) |
| Ramadan 2026 | Expected: 28 Feb - 30 Mar 2026 (subject to moon sighting) |
What is Zakat al-Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr is an obligatory charitable payment made at the end of Ramadan. Unlike Zakat al-Mal (which is based on wealth), Zakat al-Fitr is a flat amount per person — every Muslim must pay it, regardless of wealth.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prescribed it as:
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained Zakat al-Fitr as a sa' of dates or a sa' of barley, upon the slave and the free, the male and the female, the young and the old among the Muslims. And he ordered that it be given before the people go out to the Eid prayer." — Bukhari and Muslim
Purpose of Zakat al-Fitr
- Purification of the fast — it purifies any shortcomings during Ramadan (idle speech, mistakes)
- Feeding the poor on Eid — ensures everyone can celebrate Eid with food
- Community solidarity — the entire Ummah participates, from the wealthiest to those with just enough
How Much is Zakat al-Fitr in 2026?
The original amount is one sa' (approximately 2.5-3kg) of staple food. In the UK, organisations convert this to a monetary value based on local food prices:
| Organisation | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Islamic Relief UK | £5 per person |
| Muslim Aid | £5 per person |
| National Zakat Foundation | £7 per person |
| Penny Appeal | £5 per person |
| Local mosques | £5 - £7 (varies) |
The difference in amounts reflects whether organisations calculate based on the cheapest staple food (wheat/barley) or a more typical UK food basket.
Who Must Pay Zakat al-Fitr?
Every Muslim — including:
- Adults
- Children (parents pay on their behalf)
- Elderly
- Those who fasted AND those who didn't (e.g., due to illness)
The head of household is responsible for paying on behalf of all dependants. A family of four would pay 4 × £5-7 = £20-28.
Exemptions
The only exemption is if you truly cannot afford it — if paying Zakat al-Fitr would mean you don't have enough food for Eid day, you are exempt.
When to Pay
- Best time: The last few days of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer
- Permissible: From the beginning of Ramadan (to give charities time to distribute)
- Deadline: Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer begins
- Late payment: If you miss the deadline, you should still pay it — but it becomes Sadaqah rather than Fitrana
Zakat al-Fitr vs Zakat al-Mal
| Aspect | Zakat al-Fitr | Zakat al-Mal |
|---|---|---|
| When | End of Ramadan | Any time (annual) |
| Amount | Flat rate per person | 2.5% of net wealth |
| Who pays | Every Muslim | Muslims above Nisab |
| Purpose | Feed the poor on Eid | Wealth purification & redistribution |
| Calculator | Count heads × rate | Use Zakat Calculator |
Can I Give Zakat al-Fitr as Food?
Yes — in fact, this is the original form. The Prophet (peace be upon him) specified food items (dates, barley, raisins, wheat). If you want to give food directly, provide approximately 2.5-3kg of staple food per person to someone in need.
Most UK Muslims give the monetary equivalent for practicality, allowing charities to bulk-purchase food or give cash to recipients.
Gift Aid on Zakat al-Fitr
Yes! If you pay through a UK-registered charity, you can claim Gift Aid. Your £5 becomes £6.25 at no extra cost to you. For a family of four, that's an extra £5 for charity from HMRC.
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