Zakatul Fitr: Rules, Amount, Timing and Distribution Before Eid al-Fitr

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches its end, Islamic scholars and clerics have reminded Muslims of the importance of fulfilling Zakatul Fitr, a compulsory charity that completes the fasting period and prepares believers for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

The annual obligation, which is closely tied to the Ramadan fast, must be given before the Eid prayer to ensure that the less privileged are not excluded from the festivities.

Clerics Highlight Obligation on Every Muslim

Islamic teachings stipulate that Zakatul Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim, regardless of age or gender, provided they possess surplus food beyond their immediate needs.

According to a hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prescribed Zakatul Fitr as a duty on all Muslims—male and female, young and old—underscoring its universal nature.

Religious leaders explain that heads of households are responsible for paying the charity on behalf of their dependents, including spouses and children, reinforcing collective responsibility within families.

Approved Measure Put at 2.5 to 3 Kilograms of Food

On the measure of Zakatul Fitr, scholars maintain that it should be given as one ṣāʿ of staple food, estimated at approximately 2.5 to 3 kilograms.

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Commonly accepted food items include rice, maize, beans, wheat, millet, and dates—depending on what is widely consumed in a given locality.

While the traditional practice emphasizes giving food, some Islamic scholars allow the monetary equivalent of Zakatul Fitr where it is deemed more beneficial to recipients.

Focus on the Poor and Needy

Clerics stress that the distribution of Zakatul Fitr should prioritize the poor and needy within society.

Described in prophetic traditions as “food for the poor,” the charity is intended to ensure that no Muslim goes hungry on Eid day.

Experts advise that Zakatul Fitr should preferably be distributed within local communities to directly impact vulnerable households and strengthen social bonds.

Deadline Before Eid Prayer Emphasised

The timing of Zakatul Fitr before Eid prayer has also been highlighted as critical to its acceptance.

Islamic guidance permits payment one or two days before Eid, but strongly recommends giving it on the morning of Eid before the prayer.

Scholars warn that any payment made after the Eid prayer will only count as ordinary charity and not as Zakatul Fitr.

Spiritual and Social Significance

Beyond its material value, Zakatul Fitr in Islam serves as a means of purifying the fast from minor shortcomings and promoting compassion within society.

Clerics note that the charity ensures inclusiveness during Eid celebrations while reinforcing the values of generosity, unity, and social justice.

Call for Compliance

With Eid al-Fitr fast approaching, Muslims are being urged to calculate and distribute their Zakatul Fitr early to avoid last-minute delays.

Religious leaders emphasize that fulfilling the obligation correctly—in measure, distribution, and timing—remains essential to completing the spiritual journey of Ramadan.

Zakatul Fitr: Rules, Amount, Timing and Distribution Before Eid al-Fitr

Maiduguri Horror: 23 Dead, 108 Injured in Coordinated Bomb Attacks

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others injured following coordinated bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The Maiduguri bombings, which occurred at about 7:24 p.m. on March 16, 2026, targeted multiple high-traffic locations, including the Maiduguri Monday Market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and the Post Office Flyover area.

According to the police spokesperson, Nahum Daso, preliminary investigations indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“Regrettably, 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.

Following the explosions, a joint team of security operatives, including the police and military, was rapidly deployed to secure the affected areas. Explosive experts conducted sweep operations to detect and neutralise any additional threats, while the scenes were cordoned off to prevent further casualties.

The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmaji, also visited the locations for an on-the-spot assessment, assuring residents of intensified efforts to safeguard lives and property.

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Victims were evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to hospitals across Maiduguri where they are currently receiving treatment.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and devastation as the explosions struck within minutes of each other, suggesting a coordinated attack strategy. Residents described seeing injured victims being rushed to hospitals, while others recounted hearing loud blasts that shook nearby areas.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned the attacks, describing them as “barbaric, inhumane, and cowardly.” Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, expressed condolences to victims and their families, noting that the incident occurred during the holy month of Ramadan.

He further linked the recent surge in attacks to intensified military operations targeting insurgent hideouts, particularly in the Sambisa forest, while assuring residents that security agencies are working to prevent further breaches.

Although no group has officially claimed responsibility for the Borno explosions, security experts say the pattern is consistent with previous attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, both known for targeting crowded civilian areas using suicide bombers.

Authorities say normalcy has been restored in Maiduguri, but security presence has been significantly increased across the city and surrounding areas. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the attack and bring those responsible to justice, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

The Maiduguri bombings highlight the persistent security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, despite ongoing military efforts, as authorities continue working to prevent further attacks and strengthen public safety.

Maiduguri Horror: 23 Dead, 108 Injured in Coordinated Bomb Attacks

Court Screens Video Showing NDLEA Allegedly Helping Cocaine Smugglers at Enugu Airport

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday screened a video evidence in the ongoing trial of DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers, revealing how operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) allegedly assisted drug traffickers at Enugu Airport.

The video, tendered by the Nigeria Police Force through Inspector El‑John Nwoke, details confessions from two convicted traffickers — Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne — about their repeated smuggling of cocaine into Nigeria and how NDLEA officers reportedly cleared their luggage without proper inspection.

Inspector Nwoke told the court that the traffickers explained their handlers would send photos and descriptions of them to NDLEA officers before flights, allowing the officers to identify them upon arrival. “When we get to the checking point, they will know that we are the ones. They will open the bag, do a normal search, and say we should go,” Umeibe said in the video. Ezenwanne confirmed he had previously carried cocaine in 2021 and 2022 and that NDLEA officers had allowed them to pass through checkpoints without detection.

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The video, recorded by police on January 20, 2022, is 27 minutes long and was admitted into evidence as “Exhibit D‑3” after the court overruled objections from the NDLEA. It captures detailed confessions showing how traffickers moved cocaine via night buses after being cleared at the airport. The 21.55kg cocaine seizure by Kyari’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) followed shortly after the alleged NDLEA clearance.

Kyari, former head of the IRT, is being tried alongside ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu on charges including conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine. The case has drawn attention to alleged internal collusion within Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agencies, though NDLEA has denied any complicity.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to May 20 for continuation, including further examination of the video evidence and witness testimonies. The footage is expected to play a crucial role in determining the extent of alleged collusion between NDLEA operatives and traffickers.

The trial underscores ongoing concerns about airport security, drug enforcement effectiveness, and internal oversight within Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agencies.

Court Screens Video Showing NDLEA Allegedly Helping Cocaine Smugglers at Enugu Airport