Clarification that zakat al-fitr is not valid in anything other than food.
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The Shaykh : Now, is it valid in anything other than food?
The correct view is that it is not valid. It is not valid in gold, silver, fabrics, land, or anything else. It is only valid in food. It is not valid in currency, which is gold and silver, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed it in food. So if one gives it in anything other than food, he has given it in something the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not prescribe. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sahih Muslim 1718b This means it is returned to him. If someone were to say: "Currency is more convenient for the one giving it and more beneficial for the one receiving it," and if someone were to say this, we would say: You are right, or are you not?
The student: No.
The Shaykh : No, you are not right, my brother. It is more convenient for the giver, instead of going to the market to buy, measure, and distribute, to take ten riyals from his pocket and give them to the poor person. And it is also more beneficial for the poor person, instead of having food piled up with him and selling it cheaply, to take currency and dispose of it as he wishes. We said this is true, but the Shari'ah must be respected and adhered to what the Shari'ah has specified, even if the value were considered. Did the types of zakat al-fitr differ in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)? The types of zakat al-fitr in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) were dates, barley, raisins, and dried curds. Are the values of these things different or the same? The predominant view is that they are different; this is the predominant view. So when it was not restricted to one type or its equivalent in other types, it is known that the value was not considered in that, and that what is considered is the type specified by the Shari'ah. And when we give to the poor person, he is free; if he wishes, he keeps it and eats it, and if he wishes, he gives it in charity, and if he wishes, he sells it. The important thing is that we clear our consciences by giving what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed.
The correct view is that it is not valid. It is not valid in gold, silver, fabrics, land, or anything else. It is only valid in food. It is not valid in currency, which is gold and silver, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed it in food. So if one gives it in anything other than food, he has given it in something the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not prescribe. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو ردThe student: No.
The Shaykh : No, you are not right, my brother. It is more convenient for the giver, instead of going to the market to buy, measure, and distribute, to take ten riyals from his pocket and give them to the poor person. And it is also more beneficial for the poor person, instead of having food piled up with him and selling it cheaply, to take currency and dispose of it as he wishes. We said this is true, but the Shari'ah must be respected and adhered to what the Shari'ah has specified, even if the value were considered. Did the types of zakat al-fitr differ in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)? The types of zakat al-fitr in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) were dates, barley, raisins, and dried curds. Are the values of these things different or the same? The predominant view is that they are different; this is the predominant view. So when it was not restricted to one type or its equivalent in other types, it is known that the value was not considered in that, and that what is considered is the type specified by the Shari'ah. And when we give to the poor person, he is free; if he wishes, he keeps it and eats it, and if he wishes, he gives it in charity, and if he wishes, he sells it. The important thing is that we clear our consciences by giving what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed.