What Is Sadaqat al-Fitr (Fitrana)?
22 June 2026 · gndzlp · ~7 min read
Sadaqat al-fitr —commonly called fitrana— is a charity given at the end of Ramadan as an act of gratitude for reaching the Festival of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr). The word "fitr" shares the same root as breaking the fast (iftar); for this reason fitrana is also called "the charity of breaking the fast." Because it is regarded as a charity for one's very person, it is also known as the "head-charity." In this article we look at who must pay fitrana, when and how much is given, who may receive it, and its underlying wisdom.
Note: This article is for general guidance only. For the current fitrana amount, follow the figure announced each year by Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet); for rulings specific to your situation, please consult a qualified scholar or a reliable religious authority.
Who must pay fitrana?
According to the Hanafi school, fitrana is obligatory upon every Muslim who is free and owns wealth to the value of the nisab beyond their basic needs. Here, the two conditions required for zakat are not sought:
- It is not required that one full year (hawl) pass over the wealth.
- It is not required that the wealth be growing (nami); even assets such as household goods may be counted toward the nisab calculation.
The head of the household also pays fitrana on behalf of the young children in their care, in addition to themselves. Having fasted is not a condition of fitrana; even a person who could not fast because of illness or travel must pay fitrana —provided they possess the nisab.
When is it given?
The time fitrana becomes obligatory begins with the break of dawn (fajr) on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. The most meritorious time is to give it before the Eid prayer, because the aim is for the poor person too to begin the morning of the festival with joy.
That said, it is also permissible and common to give fitrana during Ramadan, or even earlier, so that it reaches those in need in time. If it is delayed past the Eid prayer, the fitrana is not waived; the responsibility remains, and it should be paid as soon as possible.
How much is given?
In the hadith, fitrana is set at the measure of one sa' of a staple food per person. It is narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made fitrana obligatory as "one sa' of dates or one sa' of barley" (Bukhari, Muslim). One sa' is roughly 2.5–3.5 kg depending on the food used (for wheat it is generally taken to be lower).
Today, fitrana is mostly given as the current monetary equivalent of this food. Each year, Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) announces a minimum fitrana amount based on the general dietary standard of the public. It is meritorious for those of ample means not to settle for the most modest amount but to give more, in keeping with the standard of their own table.
Worked example: In a family of four (mother and father + 2 young children), if the head of the household possesses the nisab, the fitrana is paid as the per-person amount × 4 people.
Who may receive it?
Fitrana is given to the same categories as zakat (Surah at-Tawbah, 60): those in need, chiefly the poor (fuqara) and the destitute (masakin). One person's fitrana may be given to a single poor person, or it may be distributed among several poor people. As with zakat, fitrana is not given to those one is obliged to support among one's ascendants and descendants (such as parents and children).
The wisdom of fitrana
Fitrana has two beautiful aims. The first, as stated in the hadith, is that it purifies the fast of its shortcomings: "The Messenger of Allah made fitrana obligatory as a purification of the fasting person from idle talk and indecent speech, and as food for the poor." (Abu Dawud). The second is that no one in need should have to beg on the day of the festival. In this way the joy of the festival belongs not only to the well-off, but to everyone.
In this respect, fitrana builds great social solidarity with a small amount: it is a reminder, as the soul disciplined by fasting enters the festival, to once again remember "giving."
Experience this in a game
In BAĞBAN: Harvest Run, infaq (charitable spending) and barakah form a cycle: the more you give, the more your barakah grows; the more you hoard and profiteer (ihtikar), the more you are penalized. The spirit of fitrana — "giving purifies and brings joy" — lives in the core mechanic of the game.
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