Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr in Cash

Question:

Country: United Kingdom

There are an increasing number of salafi articles saying that zakat-ul-fitr can only be given in the form of food and not cash. Can you address this? Is it permissible to give cash?

(Question published as received)

Answer:

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We have not seen the articles written by salafīs on this matter. Hence, we are not in the position to comment on their article. Nevertheless, the fuqahā’ clearly state that it is permissible for one to give cash equivalent to the value of wheat, barley etc as Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr. [1]

And Allah knows best

(Mufti) Bilal al-Mahmudi


[1] Also referred to as Zakāt al-Fiṭr

قال الفقيه أبو الليث السمرقندي – المتوفى ٣٧٣ هـ: عن أبي يوسف قال في زكاة الفطر: والقيمة والدراهم أحب الي من الدقيق وكلما عجلت منفعته في هذه البلاد أحب الي
وذكر عن محمد بن سلمة أنه كان يقول في أيام السعة: دفع القيمة أحب الي وفي أيام الشدة دفع الحنطة أحب الي. (الفتاوى من أقاويل المشايخ في الأحكام الشرعية. ج ١، ص ١٣٧. دار الكتب العلمية)

قال الامام برهان الدين المرغيناني – المتوفى ٥٩٣ هـ: والدراهم أولى من الدقيق. (مختارات النوازل. ص ١٨٧. مكتبة الارشاد إسطنبول)

قال الامام الفقيه عبد الله الموصلي – المتوفى ٦٨٣ هـ: (أو قيمة ذلك) وقد مر في الزكاة. قال أبو يوسف: والدراهم أحب الي من الدقيق لأنه أيسر على الغني وأنفع للفقير.(الاختيار لتعليل المختار. ج ١، ص ٣٨٩. الرسالة العالمية)

قال الامام الفقيه حسن بن عمار الشرنبلالي – المتوفى ١٠٦٩ هـ: ويجوز دفع القيمة، وهي أفضل عند وجدان ما يحتاجه، لأنها أسرع لقضاء حاجة الفقير. (نور الايضاح ونجاة الأرواح. ص ٣٧٣. مكتبة كنوز العلم الهند)

Fatāwā Raḥīmiyyah (7/195). Dār al-Ishā‘a

Fatāwā Maḥmūdiyyah (9/619). Jāmi‘ah Fārūqiyyah

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IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ FIRST
  • The ruling given is based specifically on the question posed and should only be read in conjunction with that question.
  • Due to the number of queries received, please allow a minimum of 7 days for your question to be answered.
  • If two questions are asked at once or the question requires a detailed research, please allow up to three or four weeks for your question to be answered. Urgent queries will be given priority.
  • Kindly do not submit more than three questions at once.
  • If you do not receive a response within 10 days, kindly resubmit your query.
  • Our responses may reach your junk folder and not your inbox. Be sure to check your junk folder before resubmitting your query.
  • Note: Not all answers are published on the site. All efforts are made to conceal the questioner’s identity. Please note that we do not answer social queries or dream interpretation questions.