Discussion of Zakat al-Fitr: Its Virtue and Its Amount

The Shaykh : Among the characteristics of these last ten days is that Zakat al-Fitr is paid out at their conclusion. It is a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of food, such as wheat, barley—though barley is no longer considered food for people today—or dates, rice, or the like. A person pays it out before going to the prayer of the festival on the day of the festival. If that is difficult for him and he pays it out a day or two before the festival, there is nothing wrong with that. As in the hadith of 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), it is a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity, and food for the poor. It has two benefits: that it purifies the fast from idle talk and obscenity, and that it is food for the poor so that they may share with the rich in food and drink on the day of the festival.