Assalamu Alaikum. As Eid ul-Fitr approaches, many of our brothers and sisters in Kashmir ask: What is Sadqa Fitr, and how much should we give? This guide explains everything in simple terms—what Sadqa Fitr is, when and how to pay it, and why ₹80 has been set as the minimum amount in Kashmir. We also share how Kashmir Imdaad Foundation goes a step further by assisting the needy in advance.
What is Sadqa Fitr?
Sadqa Fitr (also written as Sadaqat al-Fitr or Fitrana) is a charitable donation that every Muslim who has the means must give before the Eid ul-Fitr prayer. It is wajib (obligatory) for every Muslim—man, woman, and child—who possesses food in excess of their needs for themselves and their dependents on the day of Eid. Unlike Zakat, which is paid on accumulated wealth, Sadqa Fitr is a small amount paid per person to purify the one who has fasted and to provide for the poor so they too can celebrate Eid with dignity.
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made Sadqa Fitr incumbent upon every slave and freeman, male and female, from the Muslims, one saa' of dates or one saa' of barley. (Sahih Muslim)
When Must Sadqa Fitr Be Paid?
Sadqa Fitr must be paid before the Eid ul-Fitr prayer. The best time is after Fajr on the day of Eid and before the Eid prayer. If one pays it before Eid (during Ramadan), that is also acceptable and even preferable, as it allows the poor to receive assistance in time to prepare for the celebration. Paying after the Eid prayer is generally considered a remedy and may not fulfill the obligation in the view of some scholars—so it is best to pay before the Eid Namaz.
The key point: it must be given before you offer the Namaz of Eid ul-Fitr. Delaying it until after the prayer may invalidate the Sadqa Fitr in the opinion of many scholars.
The Sadqa Fitr Amount in Kashmir: ₹80 Minimum
In Kashmir and across India, the amount of Sadqa Fitr is calculated based on the price of one saa' of grain (wheat, barley, or dates)—approximately 2.5 to 3 kg. Islamic scholars and local bodies in Kashmir have set the minimum amount at ₹80 per person for the current year. This means if you have a family of five, the total Sadqa Fitr would be 5 × ₹80 = ₹400. You may give more than the minimum if you wish; the poor will benefit, and you will earn greater reward.
Quran 2:177 — "Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves..."
Who Must Pay Sadqa Fitr?
Every Muslim who has food in surplus of their needs for themselves and their household on the morning of Eid must pay Sadqa Fitr. This includes the head of the household paying on behalf of themselves, their spouse, children, and any dependents. For example, if a father has a wife and three children, he pays 5 × ₹80 = ₹400 for his family.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The fasting of the month of Ramadan will be hanging between earth and heavens and it will not be raised up to the Divine Presence without paying the Zakat al-Fitr." (Sunan Ibn Majah)
For more information on how to pay your Sadqa Fitr through Kashmir Imdaad Foundation, or if you need help calculating the amount for your family, please visit our contact page. We are here to help.