Is it permissible to give zakat al-fitr and the expiation for an oath in the form of chicken or cooked food?

The questioner : Regarding zakat al-fitr or the expiation for an oath, is it permissible to give it in the form of chicken or cooked food?

The Shaykh : In my opinion, as long as it is food, it is permissible. However, it should be of the type of food that the person being expiated for eats. One should note that it is of the food of the person being expiated for. That is, the intention is not merely to satisfy the hunger of the poor person with this expiation, but to satisfy him with the type of food that the person being expiated for eats.

The questioner : And what about zakat al-fitr?

The Shaykh : As for zakat al-fitr, it is not permissible, as you know.

The questioner: HeThe questioner : He is asking, meaning his question was about two things: zakat al-fitr and the expiation for an oath.

The Shaykh : As for zakat al-fitr, it is not permissible to give a substitute in any case, except in one situation: when the foods specified in the hadith are not available in a certain country, or they are available but are not the food of that country. In that case, one offers what corresponds to these specified types from the food of that country. For example, rice, sugar, or the like. In this case, it is possible to give food that is a valid substitute for the food specified in the hadith. It should be noted regarding this substitute that it should be a staple food that is stored, such that if a large quantity of this staple food is available to the poor, they are not forced to spend it immediately but rather store it as provisions for their families in the future. It should also be noted that the types of food specified in the hadith are from stored provisions. Therefore, if the condition for substitution is met, the substitute must be food and a stored staple.

The questioner : Yes, the food of the people of the country, on the condition that it is stored.

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.