Is it permissible to give zakat al-fitr in money?

The questioner : Zakat al-fitr is food, but I have a poor sister who is entitled to zakat al-fitr. If I give it to her, I know she needs something other than this food, for example, to buy clothing. So, would it be permissible for me to give her money? And is it obligatory for me to inform her that this is zakat al-fitr?

The Shaykh : First, regarding the last part of your question, it is not obligatory, but it is not permissible for you to change it by giving her coins instead of food. Then, the logic of people today is mostly inverted. The clothing you mentioned, or which you referred to, is not the clothing of necessity, but rather the clothing that is appropriate for the festival. The clothing appropriate for the festival is a matter of perfection, whereas sustenance is a necessity. Do not rush me; someone might say that she has already received what protects her, but we look to the long term. She is poor, so if she is provided with rice and sugar such that she can live for months, if not years, from these alms that have become available to her on the occasion of 'Id al-Fitr, that is reviving the dead soul. It is not that you give her money so she goes and buys an outfit for herself or for her sons or daughters. Therefore, it is not permissible to give zakat al-fitr except in the form of food, which is the food of the people of the country. And from here—time has run out for whoever is listening—