Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made Zakat Ul-Fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of charity (sadaqah).” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 1371. Al-Nawawi said: Abu Dawood reported it from Ibn ‘Abbaas with a hasan isnaad)

Who should give zakat Ul-fitr?

Zakat ul-fitr must be given on behalf of all Muslims, young and old, male and female, free and slave.

The time for giving Zakat Ul-Fitr

It should be given before the Eid prayer, as is stated in the hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) “commanded that it should be given before the people went out to pray.” (Al-Bukhaari, 1407).