بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Issues Related to Sadaqat al-Fitr — In the Light of Hadith

Sadaqat al-Fitr Is Obligatory, and It Should Be Given Before the Eid Prayer; Otherwise It Is Considered Ordinary Charity:

“Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Sadaqat al-Fitr obligatory in order to purify the fasting person from vain and obscene speech and to provide food for the needy. Whoever pays it before the Eid prayer, his Sadaqat al-Fitr is fulfilled; and whoever pays it after the Eid prayer, it is regarded as ordinary charity.” (سنن ابن ماجه)

Sadaqat al-Fitr Is Obligatory upon Every Muslim—Male and Female, Free and Slave, Young and Old:

“Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed the Zakat of Fitr as one صاع (Sā‘ — a standard measure) of dates or barley upon every Muslim—free or slave, male or female.” (صحیح بخاری)

“Hazrat ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb رضي الله عنه narrates from his father and grandfather that the Prophet ﷺ sent a caller into the streets of Makkah to announce that Sadaqat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim—male or female, free or slave, young or old: two مُدّ (half a صاع) of wheat, and one صاع of other food items.” (جامع ترمذی)

Clarification:
The obligation of Sadaqat al-Fitr extends even to a person who possesses food in excess of one day’s sustenance. Through this charity, Allah purifies the fasts of the giver and grants the poor even more benefit than what has been given.

The Prescribed Amount of Sadaqat al-Fitr Is One Ṣā‘ (Approximately 2.5 kg or about three-quarters of a seer):

“Hazrat Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ made the Sadaqat al-Fitr of Ramadan one صاع of dates or one صاع of barley obligatory upon every Muslim—slave or free, male or female, young and old.” (صحیح بخاری ، صحیح مسلم)

It Should Be Given from Commonly Used Staple Foods such as Wheat, Rice, Barley, Dates, Raisins, or Cheese:

“Hazrat Abu Sa‘id رضي الله عنه says: We used to give Sadaqat al-Fitr as one صاع of grain, or one صاع of dates, or one صاع of barley, or one صاع of raisins, or one صاع of cheese.” (صحیح بخاری ، صحیح مسلم)

The Time for Giving Sadaqat al-Fitr Begins After the Last Fast Is Broken, but It May Be Given One or Two Days Before Eid:

“Hazrat Nafi‘ رضي الله عنه narrates that Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه used to give Sadaqat al-Fitr on behalf of all the members of his household—young and old—even on behalf of my sons. He would give it to those who accepted it and would pay it one or two days before Eid al-Fitr.” (صحیح بخاری)