Is it permissible to pay Zakat from types of property other than those specifically mentioned in the Sunnah, even if it is not the staple food (Qut) of the payer?

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It is permissible to pay Zakat from any of the explicitly mentioned categories, even if that specific item is not the staple food of the person paying. The evidence rests upon the Hadith concerning Sadaqah (Zakat), which presented an option among these categories, thus mandating the choice. Furthermore, deviation to an explicitly mentioned item is permissible, analogous to deviating to a higher quality item. Wealth is achieved by providing the staple food from existing categories. The selection given between dates, raisins, and dried yogurt (Aqt) as staple food for the people of Madinah proves that the item need not be the payer's staple food.