Set minimum Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya at Rs300 per person, with the wealthy encouraged to pay according to their means
A file photo of noted religious scholar and former chairman of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman.
Renowned religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman announced the minimum amounts of Zakat al-Fitr (alms), Fidya (compensation for non-fasting) and Kaffara (punishment) for fasting on Saturday.
According to his statement, the minimum amount of Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya has been set at Rs300 per person, while those with financial means have been encouraged to pay according to their capacity.
He said that the minimum rates of Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya vary depending on the food item. For two kilos of stone-ground wheat flour, the amount is Rs.300; for 4 kg of barley it is Rs 1,160. for 4 kg of dates, Rs 2,800; and for 4 kg of premium raisins, Rs 7,200.
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Regarding Kaffara, which is the atonement for deliberately breaking a fast, he explained that it requires feeding 60 needy people with two meals each. The minimum cost for this ranges from Rs 18,000 for wheat flour, Rs 69,600 for barley and Rs 168,000 for dates, while the amount for raisins varies depending on market prices and quality.
He stressed that these amounts represent minimum thresholds and were provided to guide those with greater financial means to give according to their capacity, referring to the Qur’anic injunction: “And whoever voluntarily gives more – it is better for him.”
He further clarified that Fidya is intended for chronic patients or extremely elderly people who are unable to fast and show no signs of recovery, while temporary patients or travelers who miss fasts due to illness or travel must make up their fasts later as Fidya does not replace these missed fasts.
He also said that if a person breaks a fast without a valid reason, Kaffara applies, which involves fasting for 60 consecutive days in addition to making up for the missed fast, or paying financial Kaffara if fasting is not possible.
He noted that market prices for the items listed fluctuate and variations in quality can affect the exact amounts.
What is Fidya?
Fidya is a form of charity for Muslims who are unable to fast due to reasons such as illness, old age, pregnancy, breastfeeding or any other condition that permanently prevents them from fasting. Instead of making up for missed fasts, these individuals can pay Fidya to feed a poor person for each missed fast. The concept of Fidya is outlined in the Holy Quran.
When to pay Fidya
Fidya can be paid in the form of food or money, depending on personal circumstances and available resources. It can be paid before or during Ramadan, but is preferably given before Eidul Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month. Fidya can be paid online through various Islamic charity websites or offline through local mosques or Islamic organizations.
Who has to pay Fitrana?
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory for all Muslims, regardless of whether they have to pay regular zakat or not. If a person is liable for zakat or possesses wealth in excess of essential needs (such as home, clothing and household items) that equals or exceeds the Nisab threshold, they must pay Zakat al-Fitr.
This applies regardless of whether the wealth is from merchandise or personal assets, and regardless of whether a full year has passed. Those who meet these criteria must fulfill this duty.
When to pay Fitrana
Zakat al-Fitr is specifically linked to the morning of Eidul Fitr, which starts at dawn when Fajr prayer time begins. Ideally, Fitrana should be paid before the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid.
