The ruling on a traveler giving zakat al-fitr in his place of residence
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Question:
A message was received by the program from one of the listening brothers, who says: I am a student at King Saud University, and it is well known that the academic year in this case continues until after Ramadan. Therefore, I will be in the Kingdom during the blessed 'Id al-Fitr, if Allah wills.
The question is: Is it permissible for me to send my zakat al-fitr to my home country, given that the Kingdom breaks its fast before them? And if this is permissible, should I send it based on its value in the Kingdom or in my home country? I ask you, Your Eminence, to clarify this for me. It would be desirable if you would write to those like me who are abroad, as the matter seems difficult for them, in my view. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
It is prescribed for the person abroad to give his zakat al-fitr in his location, his place of residence. If he is in Riyadh, he gives it in Riyadh; if he is in Madinah, he gives it in Madinah; if he is in Makkah, he gives it in Makkah. This is the Sunnah. The alms of 'Id are taken from the rich and given to the poor. They are taken from them for their poor brothers in the country. This is what is prescribed: to pay it to the poor in the country where he is, or in the surrounding areas.
As for transferring it to distant lands, it is better to leave that alone, and there is disagreement among the scholars, with many of them not seeing it as permissible. Therefore, the believer should be cautious and distribute it in the country where he resides or in the neighboring villages close to it. This is what is prescribed, and this is the most cautious course for the believer. If he transfers it to his home country or elsewhere and gives it to the poor, it suffices according to the correct view, but he has left what is more cautious and better. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good and benefit you with your knowledge.
A message was received by the program from one of the listening brothers, who says: I am a student at King Saud University, and it is well known that the academic year in this case continues until after Ramadan. Therefore, I will be in the Kingdom during the blessed 'Id al-Fitr, if Allah wills.
The question is: Is it permissible for me to send my zakat al-fitr to my home country, given that the Kingdom breaks its fast before them? And if this is permissible, should I send it based on its value in the Kingdom or in my home country? I ask you, Your Eminence, to clarify this for me. It would be desirable if you would write to those like me who are abroad, as the matter seems difficult for them, in my view. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
It is prescribed for the person abroad to give his zakat al-fitr in his location, his place of residence. If he is in Riyadh, he gives it in Riyadh; if he is in Madinah, he gives it in Madinah; if he is in Makkah, he gives it in Makkah. This is the Sunnah. The alms of 'Id are taken from the rich and given to the poor. They are taken from them for their poor brothers in the country. This is what is prescribed: to pay it to the poor in the country where he is, or in the surrounding areas.
As for transferring it to distant lands, it is better to leave that alone, and there is disagreement among the scholars, with many of them not seeing it as permissible. Therefore, the believer should be cautious and distribute it in the country where he resides or in the neighboring villages close to it. This is what is prescribed, and this is the most cautious course for the believer. If he transfers it to his home country or elsewhere and gives it to the poor, it suffices according to the correct view, but he has left what is more cautious and better. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good and benefit you with your knowledge.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.