Short answer
It becomes due at dawn on Eid al-Fitr, and the sunnah is to pay it before the Eid prayer. In the Hanafi school you may pay it earlier in Ramadan, which helps the poor prepare for Eid. If you miss the time, it is still owed: pay it as soon as you can.
Sadaqat al-fitr becomes wajib at dawn on 1 Shawwal. Paying it before the Eid prayer is sunnah, and paying earlier in Ramadan is valid. Delaying it past Eid day is disliked, but it does not lapse and must still be paid.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- It may be paid from the start of Ramadan. Delaying it past sunset on Eid day without an excuse is sinful, and it is then paid as a make-up.
- Maliki
- It may be paid only a day or two before Eid.
- Hanbali
- It may be paid only a day or two before Eid. Delaying it past the Eid prayer is disliked, and past Eid day it is sinful.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ ordered that zakat al-fitr be paid before people go out to the Eid prayer, so that the poor have what they need on the day of celebration. That is the sunnah time. The obligation itself begins at dawn on Eid day.
The Companions gave it a day or two before Eid. The Hanafi school allows paying it earlier, anywhere in Ramadan. Today this is often the better choice, especially when giving through a charity: the charity needs time to buy food or transfer money, and the family in need can plan for Eid. Most masjids and charities ask for fitrana in the last ten days of Ramadan for this reason.
If you forget, or Eid passes before you pay, zakat al-fitr is not cancelled. In the Hanafi school it stays a debt on you until paid. Pay it as soon as you remember, and seek forgiveness if you delayed without reason. Ibn Abbas said that what is paid before the prayer is accepted zakat, and what is paid after it is one charity among others, which shows the loss of the special merit.
For the amount and who you pay for, see how much zakat al-fitr is and who pays it. For the prayer itself, see how to pray Eid salah.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-A'laa 87:14-15
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ ﴿١٤﴾ وَذَكَرَ ٱسْمَ رَبِّهِۦ فَصَلَّىٰ ﴿١٥﴾
He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.
Read by several early scholars as giving zakat al-fitr and then praying the Eid prayer, in that order.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1503
Sahih... وأمر بها أن تؤدى قبل خروج الناس إلى الصلاة ...
"And he ordered that it be paid before the people go out to the prayer."
The sunnah time is before the Eid prayer.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1511
Sahih... وكانوا يعطون قبل الفطر بيوم أو يومين ...
"And they used to give it a day or two before Eid al-Fitr."
Paying before Eid day was the practice of the Companions.
Sunan Abi Dawud 1609
Graded hasan... من أداها قبل الصلاة فهي زكاة مقبولة ...
"Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is accepted zakat; whoever pays it after the prayer, it is one of the ordinary charities."
Paying after the prayer loses its special merit.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on sadaqat al-fitr. It becomes due at dawn on Eid day, may be paid early, and does not lapse if delayed.
- Radd al-Muhtar, Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on sadaqat al-fitr. Paying it in Ramadan is valid.
- Minhaj al-Talibin, Kitab Zakat al-Fitr. The Shafi'i window from the start of Ramadan to sunset on Eid day.
- Kashshaf al-Qina', Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on zakat al-fitr. The Hanbali allowance of one or two days early.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.