How Much is Zakat Fitrah if Replaced with Money?

Zakat al-Fitr is one of the obligations that must be fulfilled by Muslims upon entering the month of Ramadan. The obligation to pay Zakat al-Fitr is not limited to men or women, whether adults or children, or whether they are fasting or not fasting.

Recently, the payment of zakat fitrah has continued to evolve. Muslims not only pay zakat fitrah using rice but also cash, which is distributed directly or online to zakat management institutions. So, how much money should be given when paying zakat fitrah in cash?

The National Zakat Agency (Baznas), as one of the zakat management institutions, has determined the amount of zakat fitrah for the year 2025. The amount to be paid by each muzaki, or individual obligated to pay zakat, is 2.5 kilograms or 3.5 liters of rice.

Meanwhile, if zakat fitrah is paid in the form of money, the amount to be submitted is Rp 47,000. This amount is equivalent to 2.5 kg or 3.5 liters of premium rice for the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) areas. Meanwhile, for Muslims who consume rice priced above or below the standard rate in Jabodetabek, they may adjust according to the prices in their respective regions.

"Based on thorough studies and careful considerations, Baznas has decided to increase the amount of zakat fitrah to Rp 47,000 per person, in line with the dynamics of rice prices," said Baznas Chairman Noor Achmad, Wednesday (19/3/2025).

The amount of money that must be paid differs from last year. For zakat fitrah during Ramadan 2024, Baznas has determined the payment amount to be between Rp 45,000 and Rp 55,000 per person.

Noor continued, zakat fitrah is fulfilled from the beginning of Ramadan and at the latest before the implementation of the Eid al-Fitr prayer. If the payment of zakat is made after the start of 1 Syawal Eid al-Fitr, the zakat given is considered as charity. As for the distribution of zakat fitrah to the beneficiaries, it must be completed at the latest before the implementation of the Eid al-Fitr prayer or just before the preacher ascends the pulpit.

"Baznas will distribute zakat fitrah to mustahik (zakat recipients) in accordance with the principles of sharia compliance, regulatory compliance, and constitutional compliance to the eight groups designated as zakat recipients," he said.

In our wealth there are also the rights of others that we must fulfill.

The eight groups of people who are entitled to receive zakat are the needy, the poor, the amil (managers) of zakat, and people whose hearts are softened to Islam, such as converts, slaves or servants. Then, people who are in debt, people who struggle in the way of Allah (sabilillah), and people who travel for beneficial purposes, such as seeking knowledge.

Head of Fatwa Division of Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Asrorun Niam Sholeh said, Muslims can pay zakat fitrah with money, not necessarily with rice. The money that is given status is entrusted to the amil zakat to buy rice and distributed to zakat recipients. The value of the money given must be equal to the price of 2.5 kg or 3.5 liters of rice consumed daily.

"The amount may exceed the amount set, the remainder will be considered as paying alms," he said.

Furthermore, said Niam, paying zakat fitrah is mandatory for all Muslims. Not only people who fast, Muslims who do not fast or do not fast fully are also obliged to pay zakat fitrah.

In fact, babies born at the end of Ramadan or before the Maghrib call to prayer on 1 Shawwal are still required to pay zakat. However, the obligation to pay zakat fitrah lies with the father as the party obliged to provide sustenance.

Niam reminded that zakat fitrah payments should be channeled through institutions that have permits and good reputations. The institution should also be registered with the Ministry of Religion, one of which is Baznas. The zakat collection institution usually has good planning in distributing zakat fitrah according to the needs of the recipients.

According to Niam, the main purpose of paying zakat obligations is for the sake of equalizing social and economic access for the community. Paying zakat can create social welfare, solidarity, and a sense of social responsibility. Thus, wealth does not accumulate in one person, while others die of hunger.

"This is where the aspect of social justice in Islam lies. Islam recognizes the ownership of property. Islam recognizes the right to property, but in our property there are also the rights of others that we must fulfill," said Niam.

He continued, in principle zakat fitrah is useful for short-term interests, namely saving people from starvation. Zakat fitrah is not used for the medium term, let alone the long term, such as building schools or hospitals.

Because, the design of the obligation of zakat fitrah is to ensure that the recipients of zakat do not go hungry when Muslims are happy, especially during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr moment. So, have you paid zakat fitrah?