Fitrana is an obligatory charity paid by every Muslim, regardless of age or gender, before the Eid-al-Fitr prayer.
It is usually paid by the head of the household for all family members.
Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Allama Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi announced the official Fitrana (Sadaqat-ul-Fitr) and Fidya rates for this Eid.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand:
Minimum Fitrana Amount
- The minimum Fitrana has been set at Rs300 per person
Fitrana Rates by Commodity
You can pay Fitrana based on different food items:
- Wheat flour: Rs300
- Barley: Rs1,100
- Dates: Rs1,600
- Raisins: Rs3,800
- Dried dates (Munakka): Rs5,400
- Government-subsidised flour: Rs200 per person
Who Needs to Pay Fitrana?
- It is obligatory for every Muslim (men, women, and children) who has sufficient financial means
Fidya for Missed Fasts (30 days)
If someone cannot fast, Fidya can be paid:
- Wheat: Rs9,000
- Barley: Rs33,000
- Dates: Rs48,000
- Raisins: Rs114,000
- Munakka: Rs162,000
- Government flour rate: Rs6,000
Kaffarah
- Either fast for 60 consecutive days, or
- Feed 60 needy people two meals each for every broken fast
These rates are calculated based on approximately 2kg of wheat or 4kg of other commodities.
What is Fitrana and Why Is It Important?
Every Muslim must give Fitrana, a mandatory charity, at the end of Ramzan before the Eid prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) required every Muslim young and old, male and female to fulfill this duty.
The main purpose of Fitrana is twofold. First, it helps the poor and needy. It gives them the means to celebrate Eid al Fitr without worrying about their next meal. This act of kindness shares the joy of Eid with the whole community. It strengthens the bonds of brotherhood in Islam.
Second, Fitrana purifies the fasting person. During Ramadan, a person might say bad words or have idle thoughts. Paying Fitrana cleanses the soul from these small mistakes. It makes the fasting complete and accepted by Allah. It is a way to thank Allah for allowing us to witness and complete the month of Ramadan.
Who Can Receive Fitrana?
Fitrana should be given to the poor and the needy. These are the same categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat. However, the primary focus of Fitrana is to feed the hungry on the day of Eid.
The recipients of Fitrana include:
- The Poor (Fuqara): Those who have some money but not enough to meet their basic needs.
- The Needy (Masakin): Those who have nothing and are in extreme poverty.
It is best to give Fitrana to needy relatives, neighbors, or other people in your local community. By doing this, you can be sure that your charity is reaching those who truly deserve it and you are strengthening your community ties. Many mosques and Islamic charities also organize collections and distributions of Fitrana to ensure it reaches deserving people in an organized way.
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