The ruling on obeying the one in authority in paying zakat al-fitr in cash

Question : A questioner says: Honorable Shaykh! You mentioned that it is not permissible to pay zakat al-fitr in coins. If the one in authority requests that, is he to be obeyed?

Answer : No. He is not to be obeyed in the sense that one’s obligation is not discharged by paying it. However, the one in authority should be given what he requested so that we do not oppose him, for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Listen and obey” . The safest course for a person, and the one that most clearly discharges his obligation, is to pay it in food, because he is able to do so. The analogy is if the one in authority said, “No one is to pray in a state of ritual purity; no one is to pray in a state of ritual purity.” Is he to be obeyed?
He is not to be obeyed. Even if a person prayed without ritual purity, it would not be accepted from him, and it is not permissible to obey anyone in disobedience to Allah. Therefore, the safest course for the one whom the authority compels is to hand over the coins. The safest thing for him is to pay it in food and intend with the coins he gave to comply with the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to listen and obey.