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Fatwa CenterZakatul-Fitr
Question
Please give me details on Zakaatul-Fitr, is it possible to give money instead of food items?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
Giving Zakatul-Fitr is an obligation on every Muslim who possesses enough food exceeding his or his family's basic needs for the duration of the day or night of 'Eed. Any Muslim who meets this condition has to pay Zakatul-Fitr on behalf of everyone he is obliged to spend on, such as his wife, children and parents. It is confirmed that Ibn 'Umar 
said: "The Prophet 
enjoined the payment of one Sa' (2,480 grams) of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakatul-Fitr on every Muslim, free or slave, male or female young or old. He also ordered that it should be paid before people go to 'Eed prayer." [Al-Bukhari] Zakatul-Fitr should be paid out of the common food in the country and it should be given to the needy and the poor. It is better if it is given out on 'Eed day but if it is given on the first day of Ramadan then that is also sufficient.
As regards giving the value of the Zakatul-Fitr instead of food, Imaam Maalik, Ash-Shaafi'ee and Ahmad
are of the view that it should be given as food, not as money. However, Imaam Abu Haneefah
is of the view that if its value (money) is given instead of food then that is sufficient. Our view in Islamweb is in favour of the first opinion.
Finally, if you want more details then you can refer to the books of Fiqh.
Allaah knows best.
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