What is Zakat al-Fitr?
Zakat al-Fitr (also called Sadaqat al-Fitr or Fitrana) is a charity due on every Muslim at the end of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer. The Prophet, peace be upon him, made it a purification for the fasting person and food for the poor. Ibn Umar reported: 'The Messenger of Allah enjoined Zakat al-Fitr, a sa of dates or a sa of barley, upon every Muslim - free or slave, male or female' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1503).
How much, and in what form
The amount is one sa (about 2.2 to 3 kg) of the staple food of the region - such as wheat, rice, dates, or barley - for each person. Many give its monetary value instead, which the Hanafi school permits; the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools prefer giving actual food, though paying the value is widely practised. Your local mosque usually announces the per-person amount each year.
Who pays, and when
The head of the household pays on behalf of everyone they support, including children and dependents. It should reach the poor before the Eid al-Fitr prayer; giving it a day or two earlier is encouraged so it can be distributed in time.