بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri رضي الله عنه said, “We used to give one Sa’ of meal or one Sa’ of barley or one Sa’ of dates, or one Sa’ of cottage cheese or one Sa’ of Raisins as Zakat-ul-Fitr.” [Bukhari #1506]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered (Muslims) to give one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr. Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما said, the people equated that with two Mudds (half Sa’) of wheat. [Bukhari #1507]
Nowadays the price of half of a sa’ (1.75 kg) of wheat is very little for paying Sadaqatul Fitr. This is very insignificant and has no value for the well to do people. This is why the wealthy are encouraged that instead of paying the price of half a sa’ of wheat in Sadaqatul Fitr they should pay the price of one sa’ (3.5 kg) of dates or raisins. They will reap tremendous rewards and the poor will benefit much more.
Hasan said, Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنها) preached towards the end of Ramadan on the pulpit (in the mosque) of Basrah…”The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prescribed this sadaqah as one sa’ of dried dates or barley, or half a sa’ of wheat payable by every freeman or slave, male or female, young or old. When Ali (رضي الله عنه) came (to Basrah), he found that price had come down. He said: ‘Allah has given prosperity to you, so give one sa’ of everything (as sadaqah).’“ [Abu Dawud #1622, Ahmed #2018]
From this we learn that the well-to-do should give the higher price when paying Sadaqatul Fitr.
[Kitabul Masaail by Hazrat Mufti Salman Mansurpuri, May All preserve him. Vol.2 Pg.283]
One may give the actual grains or one may give its equivalent in cash.
It is mentioned in Al-Muheet Al-Burhani that, “If a person wishes to give the value of wheat, barley or dates, then he may give the value of whichever one of the three he wishes according to Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Abu Yusuf رحمهما الله.”
[Al-Muheet Al-Burhani Vol.3 Pg.385, Al-Fatawa Taartarkhaniyah Vol.3 Pg.455, Hashiyah Ibn Aabideen Vol.3 Pg.376 مطلب في مقدار الفطرة بالمد الشامي]
CHART OF PRICES FOR SADAQATUL FITR
Below are prices in Canadian Dollars of the different food items the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions رضي الله عنهم listed. One may pay any of the below prices,* taking his ‘School of Thought’ into consideration. Don’t forget to pay on behalf of those under your care.
There are two opinions on the size of the Sa’.
First: 3.5 kg. (Abu Hanifah, Muhammad رحمهما الله)
Second: 2.04 kg. (Malik, Shafi, Ahmed رحمهم الله)
You may also round off the numbers. Remember: Extra Rewards in Paying More.
*Prices are for Windsor, Ontario, Canada: Updated for Ramadhan 1439/June 2018.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
