Questions About Zakat al-Fitr

Question

Peace be upon you. 1) Is it necessary for someone who pays Zakat al-Fitr in cash to intend to substitute it for wheat, barley, or other items? 2) Can Zakat al-Fitr be given to one's parents? 3) Can Zakat al-Fitr be given (as a trust) to a charity box a few days before Eid, and then on the night of Eid, I intend for it to be Zakat al-Fitr? [AR_ID:2437]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):

1) It is not required, but the cash must be equivalent to the value of a sa' of a specific food.

2) It is not permissible to give Zakat to those whose maintenance is obligatory for the giver, such as parents.

3) If the charity is acting on behalf of the poor, it is permissible to give it as a loan and count it as Zakat al-Fitr after the night of Eid; otherwise, it should only be given as a trust, and it can be counted as Zakat al-Fitr after the night of Eid as a trust in their hands to give to the poor.

Source: Special Inquiry + Inquiry + Fiqh of the Guardian: Rulings on Zakat al-Fitr

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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):

1) It is sufficient to intend to substitute for what the cash paid is worth in terms of a sa' of the predominant food of the country, even if this description applies to more than one type.

2) It is not permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr to those whose maintenance is obligatory for the givers, such as parents.

3) It is permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr during the month of Ramadan.

Source: Official website 1, 2 + Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Issue 1145 + Issue 1181.

May you be successful in all good.