Based on the Hadith (Abu Dawood), the Shari’a has established the amount of Sadaqa-tul Fitr (fitra) as one half of a Sa’a of wheat per person in the family (regardless of age), which is equivalent to 3.85lbs/person (one Sa’a = 7.7 lbs).
The current price of wheat in Massachusetts is $2.25/lb. Thus, the exact fitra amount this year is (3.85×2.25 =) $8.66, rounded to $9 per person. This is the threshold that must be communicated transparently in public announcements without inflating or exaggerating the required amount. This authority rests with Allah swt alone, as exercised through His Messenger. Those who exaggerate the required amount are not just responsible for the failure of those who cannot afford the inflated rate to fulfill their obligation, but also for the distortion of the established scale of the Shari’ah.
Gouging is not allowed in Islam, even with good intention or/and for noble causes. We cannot be generous at expense of others nor can we exceed the Wisdom of Allah swt. This is a zero sum game in the sense that the fitra divides the total Muslim population into two groups – the paying group and the receivinggroup. The ratio between the two depends where the fitra line is drawn. Higher rate means smaller base (and more recipients) and lower rate means bigger base (and fewer recipients), without any significant impact on the total collection. In the latter case, however, smaller pool of recipients more substantially shares the same collection, as well as more people participate in the process; thus, revealing the wisdom of the Shari’ah.
Given the minimum required amount, there is no limit to voluntary generosity, however. Allah swt is generous and he likes generosity. If you can afford, feelfree to give 3.85 lbs. of gold or more for super reward, indeed. On the other hand, if someone cannot even meet the threshold, that person is exempt and is eligibleto receive the fitra, instead.
This minimum must be adjusted, of course, for location and time.
Islamic Point of View 