Section IV: What is Given in the Charity of Fitr
Firstly: Nature of what is given
The charity of Fitr is given as the base food of the land. This is the overall position of the Malikis, [942] Malikis have detailed this mater, and it is that the content be one of nine commonly used foods: wheat, barley, rye, rice, corn, millet, dry dates, raisins, and cheese. If there is none of these nine and other than it must be given, then the most common base food is used. Shafi`is, [943] Shafi`is conditioned it as the most common food in one’s land. a narration from Ahmad, and it is the position of the majority of scholars. It is also the choice of Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Baz, and Ibn `Uthaymin.
Secondly: Amount of the charity of Fitr
The wajib amount of the charity of Fitr is a sa` of food. This is the position of the majority: Malikis, Shafi`is, Hanbalis, and the majority of scholars. Consensus has been quoted on dry dates and barley by Ibn al-Mundhir and others.
Thirdly: Value of the sa` that is wajib
The value of the sa` that is wajib is five artal
[944] Ritl is a unit of weight. If ritl is used without qualification in the branches of jurisprudence, then the ritl of Baghdad is what is intended. Its worth is twelve awqiyah, or 408g. In kayl measurement, it is one mudd and a third. and a third in the Iraqi estimation.
[945] Ibn Baz said: “It is around 3kg.” Majmu` al-Fatawa Ibn Baz (201/14). Ibn `Uthaymin said: “One sa` is two kilograms and forty grams of good wheat, and this is the Prophetic sa` which the Prophet ﷺ used.” Majmu` Fatawa wa Rasa’il al-`Uthaymin. (112/20). This is the position of the majority: Malikis, Shafi`is, Hanbalis, and the final position of Abu Yusuf from the Hanafis. It is also the choice of Abu `Ubayd and Ishaq ibn Rahawayh, and it is the position of the jurists of the two sacred mosques as well the Iraqi jurists.
Fourthly: Giving the value of the amount
It is not permissible to give the monetary value of the amount of the Fitr charity. This is the position of the majority: Malikis, Shafi`is, Hanbalis, and Ibn Hazm.
feqhia
