Last updated: 14 October 2026 | Written for Eid ul Adha 2027
Qurbani Easy Editorial Team • Advised by our panel of Islamic scholars
Quick Answer: Zakat is an obligation on those who own the Nisab and is paid to the recipients named in Quran 9:60. Fitrana (Zakat al-Fitr) is a set measure of food or its value paid at the end of Ramadan. Sadaqah is voluntary charity that can be given at any time. The fatwa sources we opened show each, side by side.
The words are often mixed up, and the difference decides who may receive what you give. The table summarises what the hadith, the Quran and the fatwa sources we opened say, and where they say nothing we say so.
The three side by side
| Zakat | Fitrana (Zakat al-Fitr) | Voluntary Sadaqah | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Obligatory on the owner of Nisab | Enjoined on every Muslim (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503) | Voluntary |
| When | Yearly (Hanafi: when the lunar year ends) | At the end of Ramadan; before the Eid prayer (Bukhari 1503) | Any time |
| Amount | Hanafi source: 2.5 percent of wealth, from the owner of Nisab | One sa’ of dates or barley (Bukhari 1503); Hanafi source: about 3.2 kg of grains or its cash equivalent | No fixed amount |
| Who may receive | The recipients in Quran 9:60 | Hanafi source: a poor Muslim | Hanafi source: anybody; Shafi’i source: also a non-Muslim |
The amounts and the recipients of Fitrana can differ between schools; we show only what the Hanafi source we opened says, and the hadith wording. Ask your scholar for the figure that applies to you this year.
The Quran on Zakat recipients
Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted (to the faith), for (freeing) slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for (needy) travellers. (This is) an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Quran 9:60, translation as shown on quran.com
Where Qurbani and Aqeeqah fit
Qurbani and Aqeeqah are their own acts with their own rules; our guide the difference between Eid Qurbani, Sadqah and Aqeeqah sets out how Eid Qurbani, Sadqah and Aqeeqah differ. Voluntary Sadqah is described in types of Sadaqah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sadaqah the same as Zakat?
No. The Shafi’i answer we opened defines Zakat as a particular amount of property that must be paid to certain kinds of recipients, and Sadaqa as voluntary charity. The Hanafi answers describe Zakat as obligatory and nafl sadaqah as voluntary.
Who can receive Zakat?
Surah At-Tawbah 9:60 lists the recipients: the poor and the needy, those employed to administer it, those whose hearts are to be won over, freeing slaves, those in debt, Allah’s cause and needy travellers.
Who can receive voluntary Sadaqah?
The Hanafi answer (Muftionline.co.za) says nafl sadaqah can be given to anybody. The Shafi’i answer (SeekersGuidance, via islamqa.org) says voluntary charity may be given to a non-Muslim, but not Zakat.
Can I give Sadaqah if I am in debt?
The Shafi’i answer we opened says that voluntary charity is unlawful if it would make it unlikely that you repay a debt on time, and that debt does not remove the duty of Zakat in the strongest Shafi’i position. We did not open a Hanafi answer on this, so ask your scholar.
Can a Sadqah booking with Qurbani Easy be used as Zakat or Fitrana?
Qurbani Easy’s Sadqah is voluntary Sadqah. This guide does not say that it can replace Zakat or Fitrana; for that, ask your scholar.
Related guides: types of Sadaqah; the difference between Eid Qurbani, Sadqah and Aqeeqah.
Ready to give? You can give Sadqah online on our website.
Citation Sources
• Quran 9:60 (Surah At-Tawbah) — the recipients of Zakat; checked on quran.com.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 1503 (Ibn Umar) — Zakat al-Fitr: one sa’ of dates or barley, paid before the Eid prayer; checked on sunnah.com.
• Muftionline.co.za (Hanafi) — islamqa.org — Zakat 2.5 percent of wealth, from the owner of Nisab; Fitrah about 3.2 kg of grains or its cash value, to a poor Muslim.
• Muftionline.co.za (Hanafi), “Khairaat and sadaqa” — islamqa.org — nafl sadaqah can be given to anybody; wajib giving must go to the recipients of Zakat.
• SeekersGuidance (Shafi’i), via islamqa.org — islamqa.org — Zakat defined; Sadaqa as voluntary charity; non-Muslim recipients.
• Qibla.com (Shafi’i), via islamqa.org — islamqa.org — debt, Zakat and voluntary charity.
Madhab note: Hanafi and Shafi’i sources are shown side by side; for the Maliki and Hanbali schools we did not find a source we could open, so we do not state their view. This guide does not give you a Zakat or Fitrana amount.