Paying Zakat al-Fitr in Money

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible to pay zakat al-fitr in money? He says: Do I have to pay it every year?

The Shaykh:
No, the sunnah (recommended practice) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is that he ordered it to be paid from these five items: wheat, barley, dates, raisins, and dried fruit. It is to be paid from them, not in money, and money does not suffice. Yes.

The questioner:
The questioner asks: Does this discharge the obligation?

The Shaykh:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) measured it by the sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg). . He measured it by the sa'. So do not pay it in money. Money existed in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), but he did not order it to be paid in money. Rather, he ordered it to be paid in food and measured it by the sa'. Yes.

The questioner:
They say, Shaykh, that money is more beneficial in our current time because there is plenty of food in the houses.

The Shaykh:
The religion is not to be manipulated to fit whatever you want. The text takes precedence. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) specified food, these five categories, and measured it by the sa'. Also, on the day of the festival, there is no work, so where do the poor get their food? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) measured it for them because work is suspended on this day and they are poor, so it meets their need. Yes.

The presenter:
He says: "Enrich them so they do not have to ask." Yes. May Allah bless you, Shaykh.