Schedule of Breaking the Fast on April 17, 2023 and the Best Time to Pay Zakat Fitrah

Dream - In addition to fasting, Muslims are also required to pay zakat fitrah during the holy month of Ramadan. So, when is the best time to pay zakat fitrah?

Quoted from NU Online, the time to pay zakat fitrah has been mentioned in the Quran, namely in the morning before Eid prayer as Allah says in Surah Al-'Ala: verses 14-15 which means.

“Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure. And the wicked will be in Hellfire.”

This is further clarified by the saying of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in a hadith which means “The Prophet Muhammad saw made zakat fitrah obligatory as much as one sha’, and he commanded that the zakat be paid before people go out to perform Eid prayer.” (HR. Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Based on the above verses and hadith, the most recommended time to pay zakat fitrah is before performing Eid prayer, precisely from dawn until just before Eid prayer. If the zakat is paid after that, it will only be considered as regular charity.

Some scholars allow and even recommend paying zakat fitrah earlier. For example, two or three days before Eid, based on what Ibn Umar did as mentioned in a hadith which means,

“Ibn Umar sent his zakat fitrah to the collector two or three days before Eid,” (HR. Malik). 

The opinion that allows paying zakat fitrah before Eid prayer is also considered good by Imam As-Syafi'i. Moreover, there are scholars who even allow paying zakat fitrah since the middle of the month of Ramadan.

Furthermore, there are also those who allow paying zakat fitrah since the beginning of the hijri year as conveyed by Hisamuddin bin Musa in Yas'alunaka 'aniz Zakah, Palestine, Lajnah Zakatil Quds 2007 volume I, page 183, which means,

“Abu Hanifah said, “It is permissible to pay zakat fitrah at the beginning of the year, because zakat fitrah is similar to zakat mal (wealth). Then Asy-Syafi'i said, “It is permissible to pay it early in the month of Ramadan, because the reason for that zakat is fasting and Eid. If one of the two reasons occurs, then zakat fitrah can be paid early, just like zakat mal after nisab is met.“

Based on several narrations and quotes above, although the recommended time to pay zakat fitrah according to the Prophet Muhammad saw is just before Eid prayer, paying it earlier is allowed and even recommended.

Especially if it is channeled through the Zakat Amil Body (BAZ) or Zakat Amil Institution (LAZ) with the intention of having more time to distribute it to the eligible recipients.

Here is the schedule for breaking the fast on Monday, April 17, 2023 or 26 Ramadan 1444 Hijri for Jakarta and 5 other cities.

Jakarta Breaking the Fast Schedule

Bandung Breaking the Fast Schedule

Yogyakarta Breaking the Fast Schedule

Surabaya Breaking the Fast Schedule

Makassar Breaking the Fast Schedule

Medan Breaking the Fast Schedule

DKI Jakarta and Surrounding Areas Breaking the Fast Schedule