SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

As Eid Al Fitr approaches, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has outlined the purpose, amount and timing of Zakat Al Fitr, describing it as both a religious duty linked to the end of Ramadan and a form of support for families in need before Eid.

The authority said Zakat Al Fitr is due from every Muslim who has enough food for themselves and their dependants on Eid, regardless of age or gender.

It explained that the obligation was prescribed not only to complete the spirit of fasting, but also to ensure that those in need can share in the occasion without having to ask others for help.

"It is a fixed amount of charity due at the end of Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) made it obligatory for every Muslim, young or old, male or female, who possesses enough food for themselves and their dependents on Eid.

"It was prescribed to purify the fasting person from any misconduct that may have marred their fast, and to provide food for the poor, thus relieving them of the need to beg on the day of Eid," the authority told Aletihad.

That dual purpose remains central to the practice, the authority said, as Zakat Al Fitr serves as an act of worship marking the completion of the fast, while also helping protect vulnerable families from hardship during Eid.

"Zakat Al Fitr has religious importance as it is an act of worship expressing gratitude to God (Allah) for the completion of the fast. It also has social importance as it is a means of strengthening bonds of affection and bridging the gap between different social classes, ensuring that no one goes hungry on the day of Eid."

For 2026, the authority said the UAE Council for Fatwa has set Zakat Al Fitr at Dh25 per person in cash, or the equivalent of 2.5 kilogrammes of rice or another staple food. It added that it can be given in either cash or food, with payment before the Eid prayer remaining the preferred timing.

"It is disliked to delay it beyond the prayer. If the sun sets on Eid day without it being paid, it is considered a debt owed by the person obligated to pay it, which must be repaid."

While it may also be paid one or two days before Eid, the authority pointed out that the UAE Council for Fatwa has allowed people to pay it from the start of Ramadan through charitable organisations so that support reaches eligible recipients on time and the process is easier for donors.

The poor and the needy remain the first people entitled to receive Zakat Al Fitr, the authority stressed, adding that it is also allowed and encouraged to direct it to relatives in need, including uncles, aunts and siblings, provided they are not among those whom the giver is already required to support, such as parents or children.

"Giving charity to a needy relative carries two rewards: the reward for the charity itself and the reward for maintaining kinship ties."

The authority also highlighted the role of charitable organisations in collecting and distributing Zakat Al Fitr on behalf of donors. It said institutions such as the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, the Emirates Red Crescent and accredited charities organise the funds, identify deserving families through accurate databases and deliver support at the proper time in a way that preserves dignity.

It also noted that digital services have made payment easier, with charitable organisations offering app-based options, while the authority itself provides payment through its smart application and website.

"Awareness is raised by guiding the community through charitable organisations' applications that enable payment with the click of a button. The authority also provides its own smart application and website, in addition to Zakat Al Fitr accounts available at most banks across the country," the authority said.

The authority added that Zakat Al Fitr plays a wider role in society by promoting solidarity, helping spread the joy of Eid more evenly and easing the burden on lower-income households.

"Zakat Al Fitr acts as a social safety net, ensuring a minimum standard of living for all members of society, thus fostering compassion and empathy. It also helps alleviate the financial burdens on needy families, enabling them to experience the joy of Eid and its celebrations."