Sūrah Al-Aʿlā The Most High
الأعلى
Al-Qurṭubī derives from this surah's purification verse the school rulings on zakāt al-fiṭr its obligation level, the amount, the type of food, and the timing requirement before Eid prayer.
Al-Qurṭubī derives from verses 14-15 "he has succeeded who purifies himself (tazzakā) and mentions the name of his Lord and prays" the connection to zakāt al-fiṭr through the early exegetes who interpreted "tazzakā" as zakāt al-fiṭr and the prayer as Eid prayer. This verse provides the Qurʾānic anchor for zakāt al-fiṭr, with the Sunnah texts providing the details.
Al-Qurṭubī maps the school positions: all agree on one ṣāʿ (approximately 2.5-3 kg) of food per person; the type of food is the dominant local staple (wheat, barley, dates, raisins, or rice in different regions). The most practically relevant modern debate concerns cash payment: most classical scholars prohibited paying zakāt al-fiṭr in cash; the Ḥanafī school permits cash payment as a more convenient and arguably more beneficial option for the poor. Contemporary scholars have largely followed the Ḥanafī position on cash payment.
- Zakāt al-fiṭr is farḍ ʿayn (Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, Ḥanbalī) or wājib (Ḥanafī) the terminological difference reflects school-specific obligation hierarchy, not a practical difference in binding force.
- Amount: one ṣāʿ (approximately 2.5-3 kg) per person paid for oneself and all dependents (wife, children, household).
- Timing: must be given before the Eid prayer payment after the prayer reduces it from zakāt al-fiṭr to regular sadaqah (losing the special merit).
- Food type: local staple food wheat, barley, dates, raisins (classical); rice, lentils, and other staples added by later scholars based on local food cultures.
- Cash payment: Ḥanafī permits as a convenience and practical benefit for the poor; majority classical position restricts to food; contemporary scholars often follow Ḥanafī on cash.