Ramadan and Eid 2026: Sending Zakat and Money Home

Ramadan is much more than a month of fasting — it's a time of generosity, family, and giving back. For the millions of people living and working abroad, sending money home during Ramadan is both a spiritual duty and a deeply personal act of love.

During Ramadan and the weeks leading up to Eid al-Fitr (expected around 29–30 March 2026), international remittances spike dramatically. According to the World Bank, remittance volumes to South Asia and the Middle East typically spike 15–25% during Ramadan. Families rely on these transfers for:

• Eid gifts and new clothes — especially for children
• Zakat and Sadaqah — obligatory and voluntary charitable donations
• Iftar and Suhoor expenses — food costs rise during Ramadan
• Eid celebrations — family gatherings, sweets, and festive meals
• Household bills — covering monthly expenses so family can focus on worship

With so much at stake, the last thing you want is to lose money to hidden fees and poor exchange rates.

Every transfer has two costs that eat into what your family receives. To understand these in detail, read our guide on how exchange rate markups work:

1. The transfer fee — a flat or percentage-based charge. Some providers advertise "zero fees" but hide the cost in the exchange rate.
2. The exchange rate markup — the gap between the real mid-market rate (what you see on Google) and the rate the provider offers you.

Let's look at a real example — sending $500 USD to Pakistan (PKR) during Ramadan 2026:

• Wise: $4.41 fee, 0% markup → recipient gets ~PKR 139,420
• Remitly: $0 fee, ~0.5% markup → recipient gets ~PKR 138,720
• Western Union: $0–$7.99 fee, ~2.5% markup → recipient gets ~PKR 135,900
• Your bank: $25–$45 fee, ~3–4% markup → recipient gets ~PKR 131,000

That's a difference of over PKR 8,000 between the best and worst options — enough to cover a family's Eid groceries. The World Bank Remittance Prices database confirms banks consistently charge 2–4x more than digital specialists. Always compare providers at your exact amount before sending.

The cheapest provider depends on where you're sending from and to. Here are the best options for the most popular Ramadan corridors:

USA / Canada → Pakistan

Remitly and Wise are the top picks. Remitly often offers zero-fee promotions during Ramadan and has excellent PKR rates. Wise gives you the real exchange rate with a small, transparent fee. See our full Wise vs Remitly comparison.

UK → Pakistan & Bangladesh

Wise, Remitly, and Instarem are strong choices. For Bangladesh (BDT), Remitly often has the best rates. For Pakistan, Wise and Remitly trade the top spot depending on the amount.

USA / UK → India

Wise, Remitly, and Xoom lead the way. Xoom (PayPal) frequently runs Ramadan promotions with boosted INR rates. Check our USA to India corridor page for live comparisons.

Europe / Gulf → Egypt, Morocco, Turkey

Wise and Remitly cover these corridors well. For Egypt (EGP), Instarem and WorldRemit are also competitive. Gulf-based senders should also look at Al Ansari Exchange and UAE Exchange for local options.

Gulf (UAE, Saudi, Qatar) → South Asia

Many expats in the Gulf send large sums during Ramadan. Wise, Remitly, and local exchanges like Lulu Exchange are popular. Compare carefully — Gulf-to-South Asia corridors often have competitive rates due to high volume.

Many money transfer providers run special Ramadan promotions. Here's what to look out for:

• Remitly — Frequently offers boosted exchange rates and zero-fee first transfers during Ramadan. Check their app for Ramadan-specific banners.
• Xoom — Often runs "Ramadan special" promotions with enhanced rates for popular corridors like USD→INR and USD→PKR.
• WorldRemit — Typically offers promo codes for fee-free transfers during Eid week.
• Western Union — Runs seasonal "zero fee" promotions, though their exchange rate markup remains — always check the total cost.
• Instarem — Look for InstaPoints bonuses and referral rewards during the festive period.

Check our promo codes & referral programs guide for the latest deals. We'll update it throughout Ramadan.

For many Muslims, Ramadan is the time to pay Zakat (obligatory charity — 2.5% of qualifying wealth) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity). If you're sending Zakat to family members or directly to those in need abroad, here are some tips:

• Send directly to recipients when possible — Using a money transfer service to send directly to a family member who will distribute Zakat locally can be cheaper than donating through an intermediary.
• Consider mobile money — In countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt, services like JazzCash, bKash, and Vodafone Cash allow instant delivery to mobile wallets. Remitly and WorldRemit support mobile money payouts.
• Keep records — Track your Zakat payments for personal accounting. Most transfer providers give you a receipt or transaction history you can reference.
• Avoid cash pickup markups — Cash pickup services (Western Union, MoneyGram) often have higher fees and worse rates than bank deposit or mobile money options.

If you prefer to donate through established charities, many accept online donations directly — but if you're sending to specific individuals, a money transfer service is usually cheaper than wiring through your bank.

Nothing is worse than sending money for Eid and having it arrive late. Here's how to make sure your transfer lands on time:

1. Send early — Don't wait until the last day of Ramadan. Bank processing times, weekends, and local holidays can delay transfers. Aim to send at least 3–5 business days before Eid.
2. Check delivery times — Providers like Remitly offer "Express" delivery (minutes to hours) via mobile money or cash pickup. Bank deposits typically take 1–3 business days. Wise usually delivers within 1–2 days.
3. Verify recipient details — Double-check account numbers, IBAN codes, and mobile numbers. A single wrong digit can delay your transfer by days. See our IBAN guide if you're unsure.
4. Watch for local bank holidays — Banks in Muslim-majority countries may close or have reduced hours during the last days of Ramadan and the first days of Eid (Shawwal 1–3). Transfers sent during this window may be held until banks reopen.
5. Have a backup plan — If your bank transfer might be delayed, consider sending a smaller urgent amount via cash pickup (MoneyGram, Western Union) or mobile money while the main transfer processes.

The best way to save money on your Ramadan and Eid transfers is to compare providers at your exact amount and corridor. Even small differences in exchange rates can mean hundreds of rupees, taka, or pounds more for your family.

Use our free comparison tool to see live rates and fees from 80+ providers:

• USA to Pakistan
• USA to India
• UK to Pakistan
• UK to India
• UK to Bangladesh
• USA to Egypt

Ramadan Mubarak — and may every penny reach the people who matter most to you.

For tips on making your transfer safe and scam-free, see our money transfer safety guide. And for the best deals alongside these rates, check our Ramadan promo codes & referral bonuses guide.

External sources include the World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide database, the World Bank Migration and Remittances report, and the KNOMAD brief on remittance seasonality. Provider-published fee schedules and regulatory filings with the FCA and FinCEN were also consulted.