*We are currently not collecting for the cause*

‍What is Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana)?

Zakat al-Fitr (also known as Fitrana) is a compulsory form of charity paid by every Muslim to the poor and needy before the end of Ramadan.

‍How much is Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) this year?

This year Zakat al-Fitr is £4.00 per person with Invitation to Islam (ITI).

Why is Zakat al-Fitr important?                    

Zakat al-Fitr acts as purification for the fasting person. Ibn ‘Abbaas said,

‘The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ enjoined Zakat al-Fitr as a purification for those who fasted from idle or obscene talk, and so as to feed the poor. Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is accepted zakaah and whoever gives it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity.’

[Hadith: Abu Dawood 1609]

When should Zakat al-Fitr be paid?                    

Zakat al-Fitr should be paid before Eid ul-Fitr prayers so that food can be purchased and readily distributed amongst the poor and needy on the same Eid day.  

How should Zakat al-Fitr be given?                    

Zakat al-Fitr must be distributed as a staple food and not as money. Therefore, your intention should be that you are giving ITI the donation to buy food on your behalf that will be distributed to those who need it.

Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri (may Allāh be pleased with him) said,

‘We used to pay Zakat al-Fitr at the time of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ on the day of al-Fitr, a saa’* of food. Abu Sa‘eed said: And our (staple) food was barley, raisins, dried yoghurt and dates.’

[Hadith: Bukhari and Muslim]

* a ‘saa’’ is measurement equivalent to approximately two and a half kilos.

How does ITI distribute your Zakat al-Fitr?

In most of the places where ITI works, rice is the staple food, so a saa' of rice (a measurement of approximately two and a half kilos) is distributed to the needy people.

ITI collects the money required to buy the rice for Zakat al-Fitr and distributes it to the poor and needy people on your behalf. Priority is given to the disabled, widows and the most poor people.

The rice is distributed either a day before Eid or on the day of the Eid, just before the Eid prayer.