What items are permissible to be paid as Zakat al-Fitr?
Chapter on Zakat al-Fitr
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
It is permissible to pay any staple food item (mutaqaat) from grains and fruits. This is derived from the general ruling regarding Zakat al-Fitr payments. The ruling implies that staple items other than grains and fruits, such as meat and milk, are not permissible to be paid.
Supporting text
Abu Bakr permits paying what stands in place of the specifically mentioned items when those are unavailable. Ibn Hamid permits paying what is generally consumed, such as millet, sorghum, and meat from fish and livestock, without reverting to the staple food of the nearest urban centers.