Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairperson Allama Dr Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi has announced the nisab and rates of Sadaqatul Fitr and Fidyah for fasting for the current year.

According to Dr Naeemi, the minimum amount of Sadaqatul Fitr and Fidyah has been fixed at Rs300 per person. Based on wheat flour, the amount is Rs300; barley Rs1,100; dates Rs1,600; raisins Rs3,800; and munqa Rs5,400. For those using government-subsidised flour, the amount has been set at Rs200 per person.

He said Sadaqatul Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim – male or female, young or old, free or enslaved. He urged people with sufficient financial means to pay Sadaqatul Fitr according to their economic status rather than limiting themselves to the minimum wheat-based amount, so that greater support could be extended to deserving individuals.

The CII chairperson added that residents of provinces other than Punjab should pay Sadaqatul Fitr and Fidyah in line with the prevailing prices of food commodities in their respective areas.

Providing further details, Dr Naeemi said the Fidyah for 30 fasts has been fixed at Rs9,000 based on wheat; Rs33,000 on barley; Rs48,000 on dates; Rs114,000 on raisins; and Rs162,000 on munqa. The Fidyah for 30 fasts based on government-subsidised flour amounts to Rs6,000.

He further explained that the expiation (Kaffarah) for deliberately breaking a fast is either to observe 60 consecutive fasts or to feed 60 needy persons two meals each.