Zakat al-Fitr: Cash vs Food

Short answer: The authentic Sunnah requires Zakat al-Fitr to be given as food (staples like dates, barley, raisins, cheese or the local staple grain), not as cash. The Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions always gave a sa' of food, and no sahih hadith permits cash payment. Details: The evidence from Sahih al-Bukhari 1510 and Sahih Muslim 985b is clear – during the Prophet's time, Zakat al-Fitr was given as one sa' of food. The wisdom is to meet the need of the poor on the day of Eid. While some later scholars allowed cash for convenience, the strongest position is to follow the textual Sunnah. Evidence: 1. Sahih al-Bukhari 1510: Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri: "In the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), we used to give one Sa' of food (edible things) as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (to the poor). Our food used to be either of barley, raisins, dried grapes, cottage cheese or dates." 2. Sahih Muslim 985b: Abd Sa'id al-Khudri reported: "We, on behalf of every young or old, free man or slave, used to take out during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as the Zakat of Fitr one sa' of grain, or one sa' of cheese or one sa' of raisins." Note: The Hanafi school permits cash if it benefits the poor more, but there is no sahih proof for this from the Prophet or his companions. For complex cases, consult a scholar.