In this article, I'll explain the concept of zakat al-fitr, including how it’s calculated in 2026 and how it differs from zakat. I'll also share how your masjid or Islamic organization can simplify the donation process for the ummah.
Join the fundraising movement! Join the fundraising movement!Zakat al-fitr – also called fitrana – is an important pillar of Islam required by Muslims near the end of Ramadan.
Below, I’ll elaborate on zakat al-fitr and the rules surrounding it, including how it differs from zakat. I’ll also explain how it’s calculated and collected in 2026.
Zakat al-fitr – sometimes called “zakat ul-fitr” or the “Zakat of Breaking the Fast of Ramadan” – is charity (sadaqah) or alms paid in food. In present times, monetary donations are also given to masjids or Islamic organizations distributing food and essentials to the poor.
Zakat al-fitr rules (hadith) state that all Muslims must give this gift at the end of Ramadan – regardless of age or gender.
You must give fitrana if you are Muslim and have excess food. The head of a household can also pay it on behalf of family members. It must be given before the Eid prayer when the sun sets on the last day of Ramadan.
Zakat ul-fitr enables the poor and needy to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with other Muslims through prayer, communal gatherings, and a feast to break the fast.
Zakat al-fitr is calculated based on one saa’, a measure of volume.
One saa’ of food is equivalent to four madd. One madd is how much food can be scooped up when you place your hands together. Madd is calculated based on the price of a staple food, like rice.
One saa’ is equivalent to approximately two to three kilograms of staple food. Therefore, you should pay $15 when giving zakat al-fitr (fitrana) in the U.S. in 2026.
While both require Muslims to give sadaqah, let’s look at the main differences between fitrana and zakat based on eligibility, amount due, and due dates.
As I’ve already mentioned, all Muslims are required to pay zakat ul-fitr, unless they don’t have sufficient food available.
Zakat is only required by those whose wealth exceeds the nisab threshold value within one lunar year (based on the market value of gold).
The nisab threshold is the amount of wealth a Muslim possesses before being obligated to pay zakat. If this amount exceeds nisab for one full lunar year, you are required to give 2.5% of that excess to the poor.
Usually, the amount of zakat al-fitr is very small, equating to two to three kilograms of staple food. Zakat can be much larger because it’s based on 2.5% of a Muslim’s total net worth.
Zakat al-fitr is due as the sun sets on the last day of Ramadan, at the very latest.
Zakat is required to be paid after one lunar year if a Muslim’s wealth equals or surpasses the nisab value.
Here are four ways you can enable the ummah to give zakat al-fitr to your masjid or Islamic organization.
Create a brand-aligned donation form using a fundraising platform like Donorbox to simplify the donation process for giving fitrana.
Your ummah should be able to donate with minimal hassle involved, so offer plenty of payment options like digital wallets and a frictionless checkout experience.
Add donation designations so donors can allocate their sadaqah – in this case, “zakat al-fitr” or “fitrana.” Don’t forget to include additional designations during Ramadan to make giving easier for the ummah. For example, offer options for sadaqah, fidyah, kaffarah, and zakat.
Here’s an example of how the Muslim Community of Knoxville collects zakat ul-fitr using their Donorbox OmniGive™ donation form. See how they’ve included different designations and an explanation of how much fitrana is due:
Collect Zakat al-Fitr with Donorbox
Pro tip: While specific amounts are applicable, include a custom donation amount option to encourage the ummah to give more and receive multiplied blessings.
A donation kiosk enables the ummah to make a quick, cashless donation of zakat al-fitr in person when attending mosque. It’s also handy during Ramadan events, like iftar fundraisers.
Utilize a donation kiosk app like Donorbox Live™ Kiosk to accept cashless payments from your tablet or Android smartphone (coming soon to iOS). This app will allow donors to pay swiftly using credit/debit cards and digital wallets.
Once you’ve set up your donation kiosk, place it at the entrance and/or exit of your mosque to collect donations quickly.
Purchase one of Donorbox’s all-inclusive Live Kiosk packages to get all the required hardware in one convenient delivery to your doorstep.
Text-to-give encourages quick and easy giving for your ummah. After all, almost everyone has a smartphone in their pocket.
For example, Donorbox Text-to-Give helps you mobilize your fundraising efforts and integrates seamlessly with your Donorbox account. Supporters can text your campaign ID to a specific number and receive the link to your donation form to give zakat al-fitr.
Those wanting to give more after their initial donation can simply repeat their gift via text – no form or website is required this time.
Bonus resource: Download this free e-book to explore eight reasons why text-to-give is essential for your fundraising strategy:
QR codes enable you to quickly and securely share your masjid’s or Islamic charity’s zakat ul-fitr donation form.
Fundraising platforms like Donorbox let you easily generate a free QR code for any of your fundraising campaigns. Supporters simply scan the code to visit your donation form and pay their zakat al-fitr.
For more creative ways to use QR codes, check out this ultimate guide for masjids and Islamic charities.
Watch this webinar with Sarah Ali, Executive Director of the Muslim Philanthropy Network, to discover key fundraising strategies for doubling your donations this Ramadan.
Zakat al-fitr is a sacred charity required by all Muslims who are able to. Providing modern and user-friendly online and in-person donation options makes it easier for the ummah to donate to your masjid or Islamic organization.
Donorbox offers robust fundraising and donor management features and tools to grow your fundraising and help you better engage with your community.
Sign up today. For more fundraising ideas, visit our Nonprofit Blog and YouTube channel.
Give fitrana by distributing excess food to the poor before the Eid call to prayer on the final day of Ramadan. You can also give the required monetary sum to a masjid or Islamic charity that collects fitrana donations.
You can pay it on the last day of Ramadan, before the final Eid prayer. Many Islamic organizations encourage early submissions for fitrana.
You must give fitrana if you have food in excess. You are only exempt from giving fitrana if you don’t have excess food. The head of a household can also pay on behalf of his or her family members.
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