Zakat-ul-Fitr is US $ 12 per person. It is obligatory upon every Muslim, young or adult, male or female. It is due to be paid before the Eid Prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 1503; Sahih Muslim; 2279, 2280).

Please make sure that you give Zakat-ul-Fitr well before Eid Prayer so that it can be given to the needy in time. It is mentioned in a Hadith: “The Prophet of Allah enjoined Zakat-ul-Fitr on those who fast to cleanse them from any inappropriate act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the one who pays it before the `Eid prayer, and it is Sadaqah (Charity) for the one who pays it after the prayer.” Sunan Abi Dawood: 1609

The amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr is one Saa’ (unit for measuring weight) for dates, barley and cheese and half Saa’ for wheat. One Saa’ is roughly equal to 5.5 pounds which is equivalent to about 10-12 dollars. Zakat-ul-Fitr is to be paid by the leader of the house for everybody in the household including the unborn child if the mother is pregnant.