Collecting Zakat al-Fitr from people in cash to the Social Affairs Department of the state to be distributed throughout the year
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 20923 )
Q: One of the Arab states collects Zakat al-Fitr from people in cash, through its representatives in the villages and cities, and gathers these cash funds in the state's Social Affairs Department ; to be distributed from them throughout the year, and in periods of every three months, as salaries for the eligible recipients registered with Social Affairs, and it may also reach those who are not eligible. Likewise, salaries or rewards are paid from it to those in charge of collecting it in the cities and villages, where Zakat al-Fitr is considered one of the resources for Social Affairs. Some people do not feel reassured about this, and they pay Zakat al-Fitr twice: once directly according to the religious ruling, and once in cash to the state's representatives. Please issue a ruling on the validity of this practice, so that it can be communicated to people to act upon it and to educate them about the correct religious practice in this very important aspect. We request that the fatwa be in writing so that we can print it.
A: It is obligatory for you to pay the Fitrah charity at its prescribed time, which is the night of the festival, and it is permissible to pay it one or two days before the festival. The amount paid must be a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of the staple food of the land, meaning three kilograms of food, and paying its monetary value is not sufficient; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered it to be paid out of food.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: One of the Arab states collects Zakat al-Fitr from people in cash, through its representatives in the villages and cities, and gathers these cash funds in the state's Social Affairs Department ; to be distributed from them throughout the year, and in periods of every three months, as salaries for the eligible recipients registered with Social Affairs, and it may also reach those who are not eligible. Likewise, salaries or rewards are paid from it to those in charge of collecting it in the cities and villages, where Zakat al-Fitr is considered one of the resources for Social Affairs. Some people do not feel reassured about this, and they pay Zakat al-Fitr twice: once directly according to the religious ruling, and once in cash to the state's representatives. Please issue a ruling on the validity of this practice, so that it can be communicated to people to act upon it and to educate them about the correct religious practice in this very important aspect. We request that the fatwa be in writing so that we can print it.
A: It is obligatory for you to pay the Fitrah charity at its prescribed time, which is the night of the festival, and it is permissible to pay it one or two days before the festival. The amount paid must be a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of the staple food of the land, meaning three kilograms of food, and paying its monetary value is not sufficient; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered it to be paid out of food.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.