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Answered by 3 scholars Zakat & CharitySA-0033

Is it permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr in cash instead of food?

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Shaykh Ibn Baz· عبد العزيز بن بازSenior Scholar

Majmu' Fatawa Ibn Baz, vol. 14, p. 32

It is not permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr in cash — it must be from staple food (sa'a of dates, barley, raisins, wheat, or rice). The Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions gave it in food, and there is no authentic narration of any of them giving it in cash, even though dirhams existed.

Evidence

Hadith

[Sahih [al-Bukhari 1503](/hadith/bukhari/1503)](/hadith/bukhari/1503) — "The Prophet (ﷺ) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory: a sa'a of dates, or a sa'a of barley..."

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