Zakat fitri is one of the obligations that every Muslim must fulfill at the end of the month of Ramadan. This obligation carries a strong social dimension. Through zakat fitri, Islam ensures that the joy of Eid can be felt by all members of society.
In general, the Qur’an explains that the recipients of zakat consist of eight categories (asnaf), as mentioned in the words of Allah in Surah At-Taubah verse 60:
اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَاۤءِ وَالْمَسٰكِيْنِ وَالْعٰمِلِيْنَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوْبُهُمْ وَفِى الرِّقَابِ وَالْغٰرِمِيْنَ وَفِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيْلِۗ فَرِيْضَةً مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ۗوَاللّٰهُ عَلِيْمٌ حَكِيْمٌ
“Indeed, alms are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect them, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for freeing captives, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveler, as an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.” (QS. At-Taubah: 60)
However, in the practice of zakat fitri, scholars explain that the poor (fuqara’) and the needy (masakin) hold the highest priority to receive it. This is because the primary purpose of zakat fitri is to help fulfill their food needs on Eid.
The main basis for this understanding can be found in a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad narrated from Ibn Abbas. In this hadith, it is explained that zakat al-Fitr functions both as a purification for those who fast and as food for the poor.
Here is the hadith in full:
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ: فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ طُهْرَةً لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ اللَّغْوِ وَالرَّفَثِ، وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِينِ، فَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهِيَ زَكَاةٌ مَقْبُولَةٌ، وَمَنْ أَدَّاهَا بَعْدَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهِيَ صَدَقَةٌ مِنَ الصَّدَقَاتِ<b>.
“From Ibn Abbas, he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made zakat fitri obligatory as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscene behavior, and as food for the poor. Whoever gives it before the Eid prayer, it is accepted as zakat. Whoever gives it after the prayer, it is only counted as a form of charity.”
This hadith provides two important clarifications. First, zakat fitri serves to complete the worship of fasting by purifying the shortcomings that may have occurred during Ramadan. Second, zakat fitri has a clear objective, providing food for the poor.
For this reason, scholars understand that the poor and the needy should receive priority in the distribution of zakat fitri. In this way, they can experience sufficiency on the day of Eid. So they will not have to ask for help while other Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Nevertheless, some scholars allow zakat fitri to be given to other groups among the eight asnaf. However, there are communities where many people still face economic hardship. So, prioritizing the poor and the needy is considered the approach most aligned with the objectives of Islamic law.
Reference:
Muhammadiyah Central Board, “Fikih Zakat Kontemporer”, in Official News of Muhammadiyah No. 05/2022-2027/Zulkaidah 1446 H/May 2025 M, Yogyakarta: Gramasurya, 2025.
