How much is Zakat al-Fitr?
ماهي مقدار زكاة الفطر؟
The exact amount of Zakat al-Fitr is defined by the prophetic tradition to ensure a standardized provision for the needy.
حددت السنة النبوية مقدار زكاة الفطر بدقة لضمان توفير مؤونة معيارية للمحتاجين.
The Prescribed Amount | المقدار الشرعي
1. The Consensus on the Saa'
Imam Malik, al-Shafi’i, Ahmad, and the majority of scholars agreed that zakat al-fitr is a saa’ of dates, barley, raisins, wheat or any food from the country’s sustenance. (A Saa' is a prophetic volumetric measure roughly equivalent to four double handfuls, estimated today between 2.5 to 3 kilograms. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made this specific amount obligatory, as Ibn Umar narrated: "Allah's Messenger ﷺ enjoined the payment of one Saa' of dates or one Saa' of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old." Sahih Al-Bukhari 1503).
1. الإجماع على الصاع
اتفق الإمام مالك والشافعي وأحمد ومعهم جمهور العلماء أن زكاة الفطر صاع من تمر أو شعير او زبيب او قمح أو اي طعام من قوت البلد. (والصاع هو مكيال نبوي يعادل أربعة أمداد، ويقدر وزنه اليوم تقريباً بين 2.5 إلى 3 كيلوغرامات. وقد فرض النبي ﷺ هذا المقدار، كما روى ابن عمر: "فرض رسول الله ﷺ زكاة الفطر صاعاً من تمر، أو صاعاً من شعير، على العبد والحر، والذكر والأنثى، والصغير والكبير من المسلمين" صحيح البخاري 1503).
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What is a Saa' in modern measurements?
A Saa' is a traditional volumetric measure used during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Today, Islamic scholars generally estimate one Saa' to be approximately 2.5 to 3 kilograms of a staple food, depending on the specific type of food being measured.
Can Zakat al-Fitr be given in the form of cash instead of food?
The majority of classical scholars maintain that it should be given as food (like wheat, rice, or dates). However, the Hanafi school of thought, along with many contemporary Islamic councils, permits giving the equivalent value in cash if it serves the needs of the poor better in today's society.
Who determined the amount of Zakat al-Fitr?
The exact amount was directly determined by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who enjoined the payment of one Saa' of staple food on every Muslim to ensure the poor are fed on the day of Eid.