Does the time for zakat al-fitr begin when it is delivered to the needy, or when it is paid to the agent so that he can disburse it in the proper time?
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The questioner : In this case, does the time begin when it is delivered to the needy, or when it is paid out by the person paying the zakat himself? For example, if I am in Riyadh and I give it to a person outside the city of Riyadh, perhaps in the middle of Ramadan, and I tell him, “This is zakat al-fitr, and you should pay it to those who are entitled to it at the time it becomes obligatory,” is this valid?
The Shaykh : It is valid, meaning if you give it to your agent in the second city.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And you say, “This is zakat al-fitr, and disburse it at its proper time,” then there is no blame on you, meaning the criterion is its arrival to the poor person ... ..
The questioner : Its arrival to the poor person.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah reward you with good.
This is a message from the listener Ahmad Abdullah, sending greetings from the Democratic Republic of Yemen, Hadramaut.
The Shaykh : It is valid, meaning if you give it to your agent in the second city.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And you say, “This is zakat al-fitr, and disburse it at its proper time,” then there is no blame on you, meaning the criterion is its arrival to the poor person ... ..
The questioner : Its arrival to the poor person.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah reward you with good.
This is a message from the listener Ahmad Abdullah, sending greetings from the Democratic Republic of Yemen, Hadramaut.