Is it permissible to deviate from the specifically mandated staple items for Zakat al-Fitr?
Chapter on Zakat al-Fitr
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
It is not permissible to deviate from the specified items (dates, barley, wheat, or aqit) if one is capable of paying them, regardless of whether the alternative item is the common staple of the region. The Prophet specified these types, and mentioning them after stating the obligation interprets what is due. Therefore, these specific items become obligatory, and deviation is impermissible, similar to paying the monetary value (Qimah) or paying from a different genus for Zakat al-Mal (wealth tax).
Supporting text
Abu Bakr suggests an alternative view: one pays what stands in place of the five ratls/one-third measure, which includes whatever constitutes 'food' (like wheat or barley included in the measure). Malik stipulates paying from the predominant staple food of the locality. Al-Shafi'i stated that the payer should give the Zakat from whatever was his predominant staple food. If one deviates from the obligatory item to one superior in value, it is permissible; if to one inferior, there are two views: permissibility based on fulfilling the need to suffice the poor, or impermissibility, analogous to reducing the required amount in Zakat al-Mal.