The Scholars' Opinion on Paying Zakat al-Fitr in Currency

Q: What is your opinion on paying Zakat al-Fitr in currency?

A: The scholars have differed on this, and the majority of the scholars hold that it is not to be paid in currency, but rather in food; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions paid it in food, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that Allah made it obligatory upon us as a sa' of this and a sa' of that, so do not pay it in currency. Currencies differ, and grains differ, some being good, some medium, and so on. There is danger in using currency, and neither the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) nor his Companions did so. The claim of some people that it is more beloved to the poor is of no value. Rather, paying what Allah has made obligatory is what is required, and the poor are the place of distribution. It is obligatory to give them what Allah has made obligatory upon a person as Zakat al-Fitr, from food, not from currency. Even if some of the scholars said otherwise, it is a weak and weaker position. The correct view is that it is paid in food, not currency, a sa' of each type: from wheat, or barley, or dates, or dried cheese, or raisins; based on the statement of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) : It is agreed upon that it is authentic.