Some centers announce that they will accept zakat al-fitr from the beginning of Ramadan. Is it better to pay it at the beginning of Ramadan or delay it until the end of the month?

The questioner : Shaykh, some centers announce that they will accept zakah from the beginning of Ramadan. Is it better to pay it at the beginning of Ramadan or delay it until the end of Ramadan?

The Shaykh : No, no. The answer is understood from my previous statement. Appointing an agent is permissible, but hastening to pay it out at the beginning of Ramadan, in the middle, or at the end is contrary to the Sunnah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that zakat al-fitr be paid out before going out to the festival prayer. The intention is to provide relief for the poor on the day of the festival. Paying the charity out days before that may result in it being a general charity, as indicated in the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), where he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) made zakat al-fitr obligatory as a purification for the one who fasts and as food for the poor. Whoever pays it out before the festival prayer, it is an accepted zakah. Whoever pays it out after the festival prayer, it is a charity among charities . So the command here is to pay the charity out before the festival prayer. Whoever pays it out after the festival, it is a charity among charities. Likewise, whoever pays it out during Ramadan, it is a charity among charities. So Muslims, if they pay it out themselves, should observe this prescribed timing. And if they appoint others, they should instruct them to adhere to this prescribed timing. Giving zakat al-fitr to some charitable organizations is not a problem, but those in charge of these organizations must adhere to this prescribed timing. Otherwise, they have not fulfilled the trust and have not placed the charity in its prescribed time. Yes.