What charity is required before Eid al-Fitr?

The charity required before Eid al-Fitr is Zakat al-Fitr.

Also called Sadaqat al-Fitr or Zakat al-Fitrah, this charitable obligation is associated specifically with the end of Ramadan. Its purpose is to help people in need take part in Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the month-long fast.

Traditionally, the donation consists of a staple food such as grain, dates, raisins, or barley. The standard amount is one sa‘ per person, often described as roughly four double handfuls. In some Islamic legal schools and communities, an equivalent cash payment is accepted.

Zakat al-Fitr is different from Zakat al-Mal, the annual alms assessed on qualifying wealth. Sadaqah is a broader term for voluntary charity, while khums is a separate financial obligation recognized particularly in Shi’a Islam. Zakat al-Fitr is generally paid before the Eid prayer, although many communities collect it earlier.