What is the preferred item to be paid for Zakat al-Fitr?
Chapter on Zakat al-Fitr
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
The preferred payment for Zakat al-Fitr, according to Abu 'Abd Allah (Imam Ahmad), is dates. Malik also held this view, with Ibn al-Mundhir noting Malik preferred Ajwa dates. This preference for dates stems from following the practice of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Imam Ahmad preferred dates to emulate the Companions' path. The Prophet's companions paid dates, and Ibn Umar preferred to adhere to their established practice even when wheat, which might be more valuable, was available.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i and Abu 'Ubayd preferred paying wheat. Some Shafi'i scholars suggest Al-Shafi'i preferred wheat because it was more expensive at the time, as the most valuable and cherished item is preferable, analogous to the ruling on redeeming slaves. Abu Mujliz informed Ibn Umar that wheat is superior to dates, but Ibn Umar stated his preference for the Companions' path. Mu'awiyah even stated that two madd of Syrian brown grain equals one Sa' of dates, indicating that the preference for dates was rooted in following the Companions, while in other instances, the ruling reverts to the evidence favoring wheat (as being more beneficial).