The Explanation of Zakat al-Fitr and What It Is Paid In

The Shaykh : Allah the Exalted prescribed, at the close of this month, Zakat al-Fitr, which is a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of dates, or a sa' of wheat, or a sa' of raisins, or a sa' of barley. These five items were specified because they were the staple foods in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In fact, wheat was not a common food for everyone in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Wheat and wheat grain did not become abundant in Madinah until the caliphate of Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). Otherwise, the food of the people in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) consisted of four types: dates, barley, raisins, and dried curds, as Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) stated. Therefore, it is a sa' of food.