What Is Zakat Al Fitr or Fitrana?
Zakat al Fitr or Fitrana is one of the great ways to help poor people around you. In Islam, Zakat ul Fitr has a great importance. At the end of Holly Ramadan and before the Eid al-Fitr prayer every mature Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs must pay Fitrana (zakat al-Fitr). The guardian of house can also pay zakat al-Fitr for his dependants such as wife, children, servants and any dependent relatives, but it should be payable before the Eid al Fitr Prayer so them can buy things for their use.
Why Fitrana is paid?
However, we can pay Zakat al-Fitr during the holly month of Ramadan, before Eid al-Fitr prayers at the latest, so that the poor can enjoy the day of Eid. This amount can be given to poor relative or any one else who are not able to buy food or cloth for the Eid. Fitrana provides us with a chance to support those, who cann’t help themselves. For helping someone towards a strong and sustainable fiscal status, there's no better way than aiding them via Fitrana.
Amount of Zakat Al Fitr:
Source: Sahih Bukhari Vol.002, Book 025, Hadith 579
“Allah’s Apostle enjoined the payment of one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley as Zakat-ul-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 ‘Id (Eid) prayer”
The minimal amount of FITRANA is due or equal to 2 kg of wheat flour, rice or other staple foodstuff, per member of the ménage, including dependents, indeed if they don't live in the same house. Roughly Rs. 300, £ 5 or US$ 7 per head is a safe estimated amount for Zakat al fitr.
Donors of zakat al-Fitr are people who are poor and people who are in need – the same people entitled for general zakat. The aim to Fitrana is to make sure that all Muslims can celebrate Eid and it must be paid well before its due time
