The Eight Asnaf Categories Entitled to Zakat Fitrah

As Ramadan enters its final phase, Muslims are encouraged to set aside part of their wealth to fulfill their obligation of zakat fitrah.

Zakat fitrah is a mandatory charity given during the month of Ramadan by every Muslim who has sufficient means. Islamic teachings outline specific rules regarding both the payers and the recipients of zakat fitrah.

The purpose of giving zakat fitrah is to purify the soul from meaningless acts and sins committed during Ramadan while also serving as a form of social care. As stated by Prophet Muhammad SAW:

أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَضَ صَدَقَةََ الْفِطْرِِ طُهْرَةً لِلصَّائِمِ مِنَ الرَّفَثِ وَاللّغْوِ وَطُعْمَةً لِلْمَسَاكِيْنِ ( أخرجه أبو داود)

“The Prophet shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam enjoined zakat fitrah as a means of purifying those who fast from idle and improper speech, and as a way to provide food for the poor.” (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud)

Zakat fitrah must be given during Ramadan and before Eid al-Fitr. According to Lukmanul Hakim, Lc., M.H., a lecturer at the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), zakat fitrah can be given from the start of Ramadan.

“However, the best time to pay for it is just before Eid al-Fitr, as it allows the recipients to immediately use it for their holiday needs,” Lukman explained in an online interview on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Lukman further elaborated that zakat fitrah is obligatory for every Muslim who has sufficient wealth during Ramadan. If a person has enough food for themselves and their family until before Eid al-Fitr, then they are required to pay zakat fitrah.

“This obligation does not only apply to individuals but also includes the head of the family, who must pay zakat for the family members under their responsibility,” he added. In other words, this obligation generally falls on the head of the household, who is responsible for providing for the family.

The legal basis for zakat fitrah refers to the following hadith of the Prophet Muhammad.

أنَّ رَسولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ فَرَضَ زَكَاةَ الفِطْرِ صَاعًا مِن تَمْرٍ، أوْ صَاعًا مِن شَعِيرٍ علَى كُلِّ حُرٍّ، أوْ عَبْدٍ ذَكَرٍ أوْ أُنْثَى مِنَ المُسْلِمِينَ (أخرجه مسلم) 

“The Messenger of Allah SAW made zakat fitrah obligatory as one sa' of dates or one sa' of wheat upon every free Muslim, whether male or female." (Hadith narrated by Muslim)

Not all people classified as poor are exempt from paying zakat fitrah. As long as a poor person has sufficient sustenance at the end of Ramadan, as previously explained, they are still required to pay zakat fitrah for all their family members or at least some, according to their capability.

On the other hand, the categories of zakat fitrah recipients (asnaf) remain a subject of discussion among ulama (Islamic scholars). There are two main views regarding this matter.

According to the majority of ulama (jumhur ulama), there are eight categories of eligible zakat fitrah recipients, as stated in Qur’an Surah At-Taubah (9:60). This means that the recipients of zakat fitrah are the same as those of zakat maal (wealth zakat).

Fakir (The Destitute)

People who have almost no wealth or income to meet their basic living needs. They are in a state of extreme poverty.

Miskin (The Poor)

Unlike fakir, miskin still has some income, but it is very limited and insufficient to cover their essential needs properly.

Amil (Zakat Administrators)

Amil are those responsible for managing zakat, from collection to distribution. They must be appointed by an official authority or a legitimate zakat institution to receive zakat as compensation for their work.

Mualaf (New Converts to Islam)

Individuals who have recently embraced Islam or are inclined towards Islam but still need guidance and support. Zakat is given to strengthen their faith and assist them in adapting to their new life as Muslims.

Riqab (Slaves Seeking Freedom)

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, riqab referred to slaves who were in the process of gaining their freedom from their masters. Zakat could be given to help them pay their ransom for liberation.

Gharimin (Indebted Individuals)

Those burdened with debt due to essential needs such as food, education, and other necessities. However, debts incurred due to extravagance or sinful activities are not included in this category.

Fisabilillah (Those Striving in the Path of Allah)

Individuals engaged in jihad (struggle in the way of Allah) against disbelievers. Zakat is given to support their personal and family needs while they are away, ensuring their sustenance until they return.

Ibnusabil (Stranded Travelers)

Travelers who are far from home and face difficulties, such as running out of provisions or losing their money, preventing them from reaching their destination.

According to the Maliki school of thought, the recipients of zakat fitrah are the destitute and the poor. This is based on a hadith of the Prophet, which states that zakat fitrah is meant to help the poor. This opinion emphasizes the social aspect of zakat fitrah, ensuring that those in need have access to sufficient food.

“Whether one follows the first or the second opinion, what is clear is that zakat fitrah must be given to those who are truly in need,” said a lecturer from the Islamic Economic Law program at UMS.

Traditionally, zakat fitrah is given in the form of staple food, such as rice. This follows the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who distributed zakat fitrah in the form of food commonly consumed by the people of his time.

As mentioned in the previous hadith, zakat fitrah must be paid per person in the amount of 1 sha’ of dates or wheat. 1 sha’ is equivalent to 2.5 kg.

“In the time of the Prophet, staple foods were usually dates and wheat. If we apply this to the reality in Indonesia, where rice is the primary staple food, zakat fitrah should be 2.5 kg of rice, or, according to another opinion that prioritizes caution in worship, 3 kg of rice,” Lukman explained carefully.

Some ulama also permit the payment of zakat fitrah in the form of money, especially if it is more beneficial for the recipient. This opinion considers the changing needs of mustahik (eligible recipients) in modern times, which are no longer limited to staple food but also include other essential needs.

Lukman emphasized that it is best to follow the common practice in one's local community when paying zakat fitrah, whether in the form of rice or money, as long as its main purpose is fulfilled.

Regarding the distribution of zakat fitrah, one frequently asked question Lukman encounters is whether mosque zakat committees are entitled to receive a portion of zakat fitrah. Based on the opinion that allows zakat fitrah to be distributed among the eight asnaf (eligible groups), the zakat committee could fall under the category of amil zakat (zakat administrators).

“However, only amil who are officially appointed by a recognized institution, such as BAZNAS (the National Zakat Agency) or government-recognized Lembaga Amil Zakat (LAZ, Zakat Management Organizations), are entitled to receive a portion of zakat fitrah,” he stated.

Since mosque zakat committees that lack an official decree (SK) do not qualify as amil eligible for zakat fitrah, an alternative solution would be to cover mosque committee operational costs through community donations (infak and sadaqah), rather than from zakat fitrah.

Writer: Genis Dwi Gustati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva