Who pays
Ibn ‘Umar reported that it is due on every Muslim, “slave or free, male or female, young or old” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503). He used to pay it for every young and old person in his care, even the children (Sahih al-Bukhari 1511). Most scholars say whoever has food beyond their family’s needs for the day of Eid pays it.
How much
One sa‘ per person, a measure of about 2.5 to 3 kg of a staple food such as dates, barley, rice or wheat (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503).
Food or money? Most scholars say it should be given as food, as in the hadith; the Hanafi school and many charities today allow its value in money. Follow your local scholars. In the UAE, the official cash amount per person is announced each Ramadan by the religious authorities, and charities collect it.
When to pay
Before the Eid prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503). The Companions used to give it a day or two before Eid (Sahih al-Bukhari 1511). If paid after the prayer, it counts only as ordinary charity (Sunan Abi Dawud 1609, graded hasan).
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Paying your yearly zakat on savings too? Use our Zakat calculator.