Who Must Pay Fitr This Year?

As Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims prepare to fulfil one of the most significant charitable obligations of the Islamic calendar: Sadaqat al-Fitr, commonly known as Fitr or Fitrana. For the year 1447 Hijri (2026), the National Sadaqatul Fitr Determination Committee has announced that the minimum Fitr amount per person has been set at 110 Bangladeshi Taka, while the maximum stands at 2,805 Taka.

Under Islamic law, Fitr becomes obligatory (wājib) upon every financially capable Muslim who possesses wealth beyond their essential needs at the break of dawn on 1 Shawwal — the morning of Eid al-Fitr. Essential needs include one’s primary residence, necessary clothing, household furnishings, and tools required for livelihood. Any surplus wealth meeting or exceeding the prescribed nisab threshold renders a person liable to pay Fitr.

Although often mentioned alongside zakat, Fitr differs in a key respect. Zakat requires ownership of nisab-level wealth for a full lunar year, whereas Fitr becomes due if a person owns that minimum amount at dawn on Eid day, regardless of how long it has been in their possession.

The Qur’an alludes to this act of purification in Surah Al-A‘la (87:14): “Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself.” Classical scholars interpret this verse as referring, among other things, to the purification achieved through charitable giving at the end of Ramadan.

The Companion Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made Sadaqat al-Fitr obligatory, specifying its amount as one sa‘ (a classical measure equivalent to approximately 3.3 kilograms) of barley or one sa‘ of dates. He declared it binding upon young and old, free and enslaved alike (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1512).

Another narration from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) explains the dual purpose of Fitr: to expiate shortcomings and idle speech during fasting, and to provide sustenance for the poor (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 1609). Thus, it serves both as spiritual purification and social solidarity.

According to the Fatwa Department of Jamiya Rahmania Arabia in Dhaka, this year’s nisab for zakat and Fitr has been calculated on the basis of 52.5 tolas of silver, amounting to approximately 230,000 Taka. A Muslim who has possessed wealth at or above this threshold for one lunar year must pay zakat at 2.5 per cent. Likewise, anyone holding wealth equal to this amount at dawn on Eid day must discharge Fitr.

The institution has also provided a breakdown of Fitr amounts based on staple food items, in accordance with classical jurisprudential measures:

While the committee’s declared minimum is 110 Taka, variations may occur depending on local market prices, particularly fluctuations in silver and staple food costs. Religious scholars therefore advise Muslims to verify current rates in their locality before calculating their due.

Fitr may be distributed from sunset on the last day of Ramadan until before the Eid prayer. It is permissible — and often recommended — to give it a day or two in advance so that recipients may prepare properly for the festival. If paid after the Eid prayer, it is counted merely as voluntary charity rather than Sadaqat al-Fitr.

Importantly, a financially able Muslim must pay Fitr not only on their own behalf but also on behalf of dependent minor children. In doing so, believers ensure that the joy of Eid extends to the less fortunate, reinforcing the ethical and communal spirit at the heart of Islamic worship.