Zakat fitrah is a mandatory payment that must be made before or at the end of the month of Ramadan, and it is a form of charity. Typically, zakat is paid to a zakat collection officer, or amil, in person, but in modern times, you can also make this payment online.

The obligation to pay zakat fitrah began in the second year of Hijrah, the same year that Muslims were obligated to fast during the month of Ramadan. Its purpose is to purify oneself from bad deeds and words that may have occurred while fasting. Additionally, the collected funds are used to help eligible recipients, such as the poor and less fortunate, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. 

Since zakat fitrah is closely related to the month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the time for paying this zakat is also specific and relatively short. According to Imam Shafi'i, the payment can begin on the first day of Ramadan. However, it is more virtuous to issue it in the last two days of Ramadan. The final time to pay zakat is after sunset on the last day of Ramadan (when it becomes obligatory to have paid zakat), while it is prohibited to pay it after sunset on the day of Eid al-Fitr. 

If you wish to make a quick and easy Zakat payment in the last two days of Ramadan, the easiest way is to complete the payment online.

The majority of scholars have issued a fatwa regarding this matter based on evidence from the Quran and hadiths. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, as narrated by Ibn Umar:

"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has made Zakat Fitrah obligatory, in the form of one sa' of dates or one sa' of wheat, for slaves and free people, men and women, children and adults among the Muslims." (Hadith narrated by Bukhari)

From the words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is evident that Zakat Fitrah is an obligation for all Muslims, including children and slaves, whether male or female. If a child possesses their own wealth, Zakat is taken from that wealth. If the child does not have their own wealth, the obligation to pay Zakat for the child falls upon the person responsible for their sustenance, such as a parent or guardian. This view is held by the majority of scholars (Jumhur Ulama).

Meanwhile, this matter was also discussed in the 60th National Fatwa Committee Meeting for Islamic Affairs of Malaysia held on 23rd October 2003. Following deliberations, the committee concluded that Zakat Fitrah is obligatory if the required conditions are met, namely:

• A person who has food or wealth exceeding their dependents' needs on the night and morning of Aidilfitri.
• A child born before sunset on the last day of Ramadan.
• A new Muslim convert (mualaf) who embraces Islam before sunset on the last day of Ramadan and remains a Muslim.
• A person who passes away after sunset on the last day of Ramadan.

This means, if your savings exceed RM21,432 (or any value during zakat savings in the respective state), you are obliged to pay zakat savings after sufficient haul. Haul savings zakat when enough for a year. Therefore, after the haul period is enough, zakat savings must be charged on the last balance of the haul period. Most of the savings zakat payers calculate the haul from January to December. With that, this savings zakat payment can be deducted from the annual tax paid to the Inland Revenue Board. However, if you want to pay zakat savings at another time, it is not a problem as long as you have enough haul for this year.

For zakat payers who calculate the haul according to the Christian calendar, you need to know that the rate recommended by the Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) is 2.577%. This is because the duration of one year in the Christian calendar is longer than the duration of a year according to the Hijrah year calendar. However, don't worry because the amount of savings zakat charged is certainly not much different.

The rate for paying zakat fitrah is not calculated in the same way as other types of zakat. It is not based on a percentage of wealth but rather is a fixed rate for every Muslim who is able. So, what exactly is the amount of zakat fitrah?

The rate for this zakat per person is based on one "Baghdad gantang" of rice, which is approximately 2.7 kg of rice or its equivalent value (ijtihad). However, the value of 2.7 kg of rice varies by state and is determined by the Islamic Religious Council of each state. 

In 2022, the standard minimum rate required for payment was set at RM7. However, some states listed three payment tiers based on the current price and grade of rice. With these three different rates, payers can choose the payment level according to the grade or price of rice they typically consume. This method is considered fairer, especially for those with limited means, while still increasing the total collected amount over the year. 

Here are the rates for 2022:

• Perlis: RM7
• Kedah: RM7, RM14, RM21
• Penang: RM7, RM13, RM20
• Perak: RM7, RM14, RM21
• Selangor: RM7, RM14, RM21
• Negeri Sembilan; RM7
• Melaka: RM7, RM14, RM21
• Johor: RM7, RM10
• Pahang: RM7
• Terengganu: RM7
• Kelantan: RM7, RM14, RM21
• Sarawak: RM7
• Sabah: RM7
• Federal Territory: RM7, RM14, RM21

For the coming years, you can check the zakat rate to be paid with the zakat collector (amil zakat) at the zakat collection counters or by using a zakat calculator if the payment is made online. 

Did you know that you can pay your zakat fitrah online? You might be wondering whether it's permissible if the payment is made online. However, according to the Federal Territories Mufti Office, zakat payment does not require a specific contract. Online payment is valid as long as it meets the conditions, namely the intention, ownership of the assets, and the occurrence of transfer and receipt of goods. <link: https://muftiwp.gov.my/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/4803-al-kafi-1793-hukum-bayar-zakat-fitrah-secara-online> 

The Federal Territories Syariah Law Consultative Committee Meeting No. 116/2019 has also decided that it is permissible if zakat payers pay online or electronically. At the same time, it is certainly still allowed to pay zakat fitrah in the usual way to any amil (authorized zakat collector) who opens zakat collection counters. Whether at the counter or online, it is very convenient to pay zakat fitrah. So, don’t forget to fulfill this responsibility before the 1st of Shawwal in the upcoming year.