There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the payment of Zakat al-Fitr in monetary value, and there are several opinions on this matter:
The first opinion supports the permissibility of paying Zakat al-Fitr in cash, based on the hadith of the Prophet, “Spare them the need to ask on this day,” meaning the goal of Zakat al-Fitr is to meet the poor and needy’s needs with money.
The second opinion, as reported from Ibn Taymiyyah, is that it’s not permissible to pay it in cash except for a valid reason. Some contemporary scholars have allowed paying Zakat al-Fitr in cash due to changing economic conditions.
The third opinion, which most jurisprudential schools adhere to and hold firmly to the Prophetic Sunnah, is that Zakat al-Fitr should not be paid except in food, such as a sa’ (a traditional Islamic measure) of dates, raisins, or grains.
Paying Zakat al-Fitr Online
Paying Zakat al-Fitr online, which involves delegating the act of giving zakat, is permissible in Islam if the giver trusts the organization receiving the funds.
One can authorize an organization to distribute Zakat al-Fitr as food equivalent to the required amount on their behalf. You can pay your Zakat al-Fitr to charitable organizations and institutions responsible for aiding Muslims, such as the Masarat Initiative, which supports needy families and students, especially orphans and those with special needs, with essential food items.
When to Pay Zakat al-Fitr Online?
Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer and should not be delayed until after the prayer. It can be given in the last days of Ramadan, and it’s permissible to appoint someone to pay Zakat al-Fitr on your behalf, including sending it online to eligible recipients.
Zakat al-Fitr Amount in Dollars
The amount of Zakat al-Fitr varies by country, so for an individual, it’s calculated at around 4.5 USD. A Muslim must pay zakat for themselves and for those whom they support financially.
Zakat al-Fitr Amount in Euros
In European countries, the monetary amount for Zakat al-Fitr ranges from 10 to 12 euros, depending on the country of residence, with 8 euros being set in Germany.
Can You Increase Your Zakat al-Fitr Donation?
The basis of Zakat al-Fitr is to give a sa’ of the local staple food or a specified monetary amount according to Islamic law. If a Muslim wishes to give more than the required amount of Zakat al-Fitr, it’s permissible and falls under the category of voluntary charity, bringing joy and happiness to a Muslim’s heart. The Prophet said, “The most beloved people to Allah are the most beneficial to people. The most beloved deeds to Allah are to make a Muslim happy, to relieve him of distress, to pay off his debt, or to satisfy his hunger.”
Donating Zakat al-Fitr Online for the Syrian People
Amidst the displacement and migration fleeing the horrors of war and living in refugee camps, humanitarian initiatives have emerged from the suffering of Syrians aimed at improving their environment and building a strong community. The Masarat Initiative has launched donation campaigns to provide relief to our people in Syria and offer adequate support. Thus, you can donate your Zakat al-Fitr to the Masarat Initiative, which strives hard to deliver education and knowledge to all needy members of the Syrian community.
Zakat al-Fitr for Syrian Expatriates Abroad
The Ruling on Appointing Someone to Pay Zakat al-Fitr
It’s permissible in Islam to appoint someone to pay Zakat al-Fitr on your behalf before its time expires. Thus, appointing a specific organization to distribute Zakat al-Fitr to the poor is permissible, and the obligation is considered fulfilled by purchasing food with zakat money and giving it to the poor and needy.
Paying Zakat al-Fitr by a Syrian Expatriate in Syria
A Syrian expatriate living outside their country can send the value of Zakat al-Fitr to those in need back home, following the principle that Zakat al-Fitr should be given in the place of residence unless there is a greater need elsewhere, as advised by the Hanafi scholars.
Masarat for Development and Supporting Youth in Syria
The Masarat Initiative is a sustainable, free educational initiative; it provides free educational services to Syrians, especially those in dire need of support like orphans, people with disabilities, and the poor living in tents.
The initiative offers education through various programs: school education, student activities, academic advising, providing psychological and technical support, and also creating an educational environment that encourages students to achieve the greatest benefit possible.
Registered in Turkey as a charitable organization, Masarat has provided its educational service to approximately 30,000 students for free, reaffirming its commitment to providing education and support to those most in need in society.
