Zakat al-Fitr 2027: amount, deadline and how to pay
Zakat al-Fitr, also called fitrana, is given at the end of Ramadan so that those in need can also eat on the day of Eid. In the Hanafi school it is wajib on every Muslim who possesses the nisab beyond their basic needs, paid on behalf of oneself and one’s minor children.
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected to fall around Tuesday 9 March 2027, subject to the sighting of the moon.
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How much is zakat al-Fitr in 2027?
When is zakat al-Fitr due?
It is preferred that it reaches those entitled to receive it before the Eid prayer, and that carries the greater reward. In the Hanafi school, however, missing that window does not cancel the obligation. It remains owed and must still be paid.
Hanafis also permit paying in advance, during Ramadan. If you are giving through a charity that distributes overseas, pay early, because the food has to be bought and delivered before Eid morning.
In practice, if you are giving through a charity that distributes overseas, pay during Ramadan rather than at the end. It can be given from the beginning of the month. Paying in the last ten nights or earlier gives us time to buy and deliver the food before Eid.
| When you pay | What it means for distribution |
|---|---|
| During Ramadan | Comfortable. Food can be bought and delivered in good time. |
| Last few days | Tight, particularly for overseas programmes. |
| Morning of Eid | Too late for overseas distribution before the prayer. |
Who does zakat al-Fitr apply to?
In the Hanafi school it is given on behalf of oneself and one’s minor children. It is not owed on behalf of a wife or of adult children who own the nisab themselves, though many families choose to pay for everyone as a matter of custom and there is no harm in that.
It differs from zakat on wealth in two ways worth remembering. It is not conditional on holding the nisab for a lunar year, and it is due per person rather than as a percentage of what you own. A household with very little may still owe it.
What about a baby born during Ramadan?
Views differ slightly on the timing. Many pay on behalf of a child born before the end of Ramadan. If this applies to you, check with a scholar you trust.
Fulfil your obligation
Your Zakat. Given with care.
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam - 2.5% of qualifying wealth held for a lunar year, distributed to the eight categories named in the Qur'an (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60). Choose your amount below and we will mark your gift as Zakat.
Marked as Zakat - distributed only to those entitled to receive it under the eight categories.
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Get a reminder before Ramadan 2027
We will email you before Ramadan begins so your zakat al-Fitr is paid in good time, along with a free guide to working out your zakat early.
Where your zakat al-Fitr goes
Zakat al-Fitr is food for people in need at the end of Ramadan. We value the obligation at UK prices, because that is where our donors live, then buy and distribute food where it is needed most and where it goes furthest.
Depending on need at the time, that means our programmes in Gaza, Yemen, Pakistan, Uganda and Lebanon. Aid For Mankind operates a strict 100% donation policy, so every pound reaches the appeal it was given to.
Pay your zakat al-Fitr
Pay early in Ramadan so the food reaches families before the Eid prayer rather than after it.
Pay Zakat al-FitrZakat al-Fitr FAQs
How much is zakat al-Fitr in 2027?
We use £5 per person, including children. A household of four would pay £20. The figure is the UK cost of the food measure the obligation is based on, roughly 1.5 to 2kg of a staple per person.
When is the deadline?
Before the Eid prayer is the preferred time. In the Hanafi school the obligation falls due at dawn on Eid day, and if you pay after the prayer it is still owed rather than written off. Hanafis also allow paying in advance during Ramadan, which is what you should do if a charity is distributing overseas.
Is it the same as zakat?
No. Zakat on wealth is 2.5% of qualifying assets held above the nisab for a lunar year. Zakat al-Fitr is a fixed amount per person at the end of Ramadan, and it is not conditional on the nisab.
Do I pay for my children?
In the Hanafi school you pay on behalf of yourself and your minor children. A wife who owns the nisab gives her own, as does an adult child who owns it. Many families pay for the whole household anyway, which is fine.
Can I pay it in money rather than food?
Paying the monetary value is the position followed by most UK charities and is what we operate on. Some scholars prefer the food itself to be given. If this matters to you, check with a scholar you trust.
What if I miss the deadline?
It should still be paid, though it is then treated as a general charity rather than fulfilling the obligation in its proper time. Views differ on the detail, so speak to a scholar you trust.
Part of our complete guide
The Zakat Guide - everything in one place →Aid For Mankind - Registered UK Charity No. 1202015
Rulings on zakat al-Fitr are described here in general terms and scholars differ on some of the detail. If you are unsure what applies to your household, please speak to a scholar you trust.
- 100% Donation Policy
- Charity No. 1202015
- Gift Aid Eligible
