The Ruling on Paying Zakah in Barley

Question : The questioner says: If we cannot find dates or barley for any party, what should be done regarding the payment of zakat al-fitr?

Answer : If dates or barley are not available, and I say that there is a difference of opinion regarding barley at this time in a country where barley is not grown. I do not think it is permissible to pay the fitrah in barley, because Abu Sa'id said, "We used to pay it in food, and our food was barley." This was based on consensus, not on specific designation. However, if we do not find these five items, or if we revert to the staple food of the country, the staple food of the country cannot be nonexistent, because people will eat it, even if we are in a country where the people eat nothing but meat. They tell me that in some places, people eat nothing but meat.