What is the difference between Zakat al-Fitr and Zakat on wealth?

Zakat al-Fitr is a fixed amount per person, paid by every Muslim household before the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan. Zakat on wealth (Zakat al-Mal) is 2.5% of qualifying savings, gold, silver, or business assets above the nisab threshold, due whenever a full lunar year passes on that wealth — unrelated to Ramadan specifically.

How much is Zakat al-Fitr?

Traditionally one sa' (roughly 2.5–3 kg) of a staple food — wheat, barley, dates, or rice depending on region — or its cash equivalent. Most local fatwa councils and mosques publish an updated cash amount in local currency each Ramadan based on current staple food prices.

Zakat August 2026

What Is Zakat al-Fitr?

Every Ramadan, two very different obligations both get called "Zakat" — and it's easy to pay one thinking it covers the other. Here's what actually separates them.

Two obligations, not one

Zakat al-Mal (Zakat on wealth) is what most people mean by "Zakat" — 2.5% of savings, gold, silver, or business assets that exceed the nisab threshold and have been held for a full lunar year. It's covered on Nisabi's Zakat calculators.

Zakat al-Fitr (sometimes called Fitrana) is a separate, smaller obligation tied specifically to Ramadan — due from every Muslim, for themselves and each dependent, before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It exists independently of whether you meet the nisab threshold for wealth Zakat at all.

How much is it?

Zakat al-Fitr is a fixed amount per person, not a percentage. The traditional measure is one sa' — roughly 2.5–3 kg — of a staple food: wheat, barley, dates, raisins, or rice depending on region and school of thought. Most people today pay the cash equivalent instead of the food itself.

Because the amount is based on staple food prices, it changes every year and by country. Local fatwa councils, mosques, and Islamic authorities (for example, the UAE's General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, or Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Islamic Affairs) typically publish a current cash figure each Ramadan — that published figure is the number to use, not a fixed historical one.

Who has to pay it, and for whom

Every Muslim who has food or wealth beyond their basic needs for the day and night of Eid.
The head of a household typically pays it on behalf of every dependent — spouse, children, and anyone else they financially support — not just for themselves.
It's due even if the person hasn't worked, has no savings, and would never meet the nisab threshold for wealth Zakat.

When it's due

Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Many scholars recommend paying a few days earlier — so charities and recipients have time to distribute it before Eid begins, rather than right before the prayer starts.

Already know your wealth exceeds the nisab threshold? Calculate what you owe on savings, gold, silver, or business assets.

Open the Zakat calculator

This is a general explainer, not a fatwa. The exact Zakat al-Fitr amount, acceptable payment forms, and edge cases (partial dependents, late payment, etc.) vary by school of thought and by country — check with your local mosque or fatwa council for the current figure and guidance specific to your situation.