Set a minimum Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya at 300 rupees per person, and the rich are urged to pay according to their means.
An archive photograph of renowned religious scholar and former president of the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman.
Renowned religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman on Saturday announced the minimum amounts of Zakat al-Fitr (alms), Fidya (compensation for non-fasting) and Kaffara (penalty) for fasting.
According to their statement, the minimum amount of Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya has been set at Rs 300 per person, while those with financial means have been encouraged to pay according to their ability.
He said the minimum rates of Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya vary depending on the food. For two kilograms of stone-ground wheat flour, the amount is 300 rupees; for 4 kg of barley, 1,160 rupees; for 4 kg of dates, 2,800 rupees; and for 4 kg of premium raisins, 7,200 rupees.
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Regarding Kaffara, which is the atonement for deliberately breaking the fast, he explained that it requires feeding two meals to 60 needy people. 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 emphasized that these amounts represent minimum thresholds and were provided to guide those with greater financial means to give according to their ability, citing the Quranic injunction: “And whoever voluntarily gives more, it is better for him.”
He further clarified that Fidya is intended for chronic patients or elderly people who cannot fast and show no signs of recovery, while temporary patients or travelers who miss fasting due to illness or travel should 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 is applied, which involves fasting for 60 consecutive days in addition to making up the missed fast, or paying financial Kaffara if fasting is not possible.
It noted that market prices for listed items fluctuate and variations in quality can affect exact quantities.
What is Fidya?
Fidya is a form of charity for Muslims who cannot fast due to reasons such as illness, old age, pregnancy, breastfeeding or any other condition that prevents them from fasting permanently. Instead of making up for missed fasts, these people can pay Fidya to feed one poor person for each missed fast. The concept of Fidya is described 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 administered before Eidul Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month. Fidya can be paid online through various Islamic charitable websites or offline through local mosques or Islamic organizations.
Who should pay Fitrana?
Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory for all Muslims, whether or not they are required to pay regular zakat. If a person is liable for zakat or possesses wealth in excess of essential needs (such as house, clothing and household goods) that equals or exceeds the threshold of Nisab, he must pay Zakat al-Fitr.
This applies regardless of whether the wealth comes from business assets or personal assets, and whether a full year has passed. Those who meet these criteria are obliged to comply with this duty.
When to pay Fitrana
Zakat al-Fitr is specifically linked to the morning of Eidul Fitr, beginning at dawn, when the Fajr prayer time begins. Ideally, Fitrana should be paid before the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid.
