What is the ruling on one who delays Zakat al-Fitr until after the Eid prayer, and what should he do if he does not find someone to give it to?
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The questioner : Regarding delaying the zakah until after the Eid prayer: if he did not find anyone to give it to until the time of prayer ended and the people prayed, how should he act?
The Shaykh : In this situation, he is excused. For example, if it is his custom to give it to a specific poor person.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then, if he went to him on the morning of Eid and did not find him, he is considered excused.
The questioner : This is one of the excuses.
The Shaykh : One of the excuses.
The questioner : What remains is the ruling on transferring it to another country?
The Shaykh : As for transferring it to another country, there is nothing wrong with it, but it is better for it to be in the country where the zakah became obligatory upon him and where he is. For example, if he is from the people of Riyadh and is in Makkah at the time Zakat al-Fitr becomes obligatory, he should pay it in Makkah. However, if it happens that those outside his country are in greater need, or if they are distinguished from those in his country by their kinship to him along with their need, then there is no harm in paying it to them, because what is less preferred may become more preferred.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In this situation, he is excused. For example, if it is his custom to give it to a specific poor person.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then, if he went to him on the morning of Eid and did not find him, he is considered excused.
The questioner : This is one of the excuses.
The Shaykh : One of the excuses.
The questioner : What remains is the ruling on transferring it to another country?
The Shaykh : As for transferring it to another country, there is nothing wrong with it, but it is better for it to be in the country where the zakah became obligatory upon him and where he is. For example, if he is from the people of Riyadh and is in Makkah at the time Zakat al-Fitr becomes obligatory, he should pay it in Makkah. However, if it happens that those outside his country are in greater need, or if they are distinguished from those in his country by their kinship to him along with their need, then there is no harm in paying it to them, because what is less preferred may become more preferred.
The questioner : Yes.