Do I Pay Zakat al-Fitr Before or After Eid Prayer?

Question

Do I pay Zakat al-Fitr before or after the Eid prayer?

Bottom Line

The Sunnah is to pay Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer, but if you forget, you must pay it as soon as you remember. In that case, it is still valid and accepted.

Quick Answer

Zakat al-Fitr is a kind of charity (sadaqah) that is obligatory at the time of breaking the fast of Ramadan. The word zakah is connected by idaafah (genitive structure in Arabic grammar) to fitr because the occasion of breaking the fast is the reason why this zakah becomes obligatory.

Zakat al-Fitr is meant to be paid before the Eid prayer so that it benefits the poor on the day of Eid. However, if someone forgets and pays it afterward, it remains valid. Scholars explain that forgetfulness is excused, and Allah does not burden a soul for what it forgets.

Key Takeaways

• The Sunnah is to pay before Eid prayer.
• If forgotten, it must be paid when remembered it is still valid.
• Allah excuses forgetfulness and error.

Detailed Answer

Zakat al-Fitr is a duty upon every Muslim to be given before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. The Prophet ﷺ instructed that it be distributed before the prayer so the poor can benefit immediately. Ibn ʿUmar (RA) narrated:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ enjoined the payment of one sa‘ of dates or one sa‘ of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave. He commanded that it be paid before the people go out to offer the Eid prayer.” Sahih al-Bukhari 1503; Sahih Muslim 984a

Ruling on Forgetfulness

If someone forgets to pay before the prayer and only remembers afterward, he must still pay it. Shaykh Ibn Baz explained that although paying it late is not ideal, it is valid when done out of forgetfulness. He cited the Qur’anic verse:

“Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or fall into error.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:286)

The Prophet ﷺ affirmed that Allah responded: “I have done so.”

Scholarly Clarification

Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymeen said: “Whoever pays before the prayer, it is valid Zakat; whoever pays after, it is ordinary charity unless he is excused, such as forgetting, relying on someone else who failed to deliver it, or only discovering Eid after the prayer. In such cases, paying late is accepted.”

What This Means for You

Pay Zakat al-Fitr before Eid prayer whenever possible. If you forget, pay it as soon as you remember—it remains valid. Intentional delay without excuse, however, reduces it to ordinary charity.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Baqarah 2:286: Allah does not punish forgetfulness or mistakes.

Hadith

2. Sahih al-Bukhari 1503: Obligation to give Zakat al-Fitr before Eid prayer.
3. Sahih Muslim 984a: Same narration emphasizing the timing of Zakat al-Fitr.

Secondary Sources

4. Ibn Baz, Majmu‘ al-Fatawa (14/217): Forgetfulness excused, late payment still valid.
5. Ibn ʿUthaymeen, Fatawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb: Clarification on paying Zakat al-Fitr after Eid prayer.