Some scholars held that it may be given from the beginning of the month. This view is weak, for it is not called the charity of Ramadan; rather, it is called the charity of breaking the Ramadan fast.

His statement, “only,” means: no more than that. This expression occurs frequently. Its original form is qaṭṭ, as mentioned in the hadith: “Hell will continue to have things cast into it, and it will say, ‘Is there any more?’ until the Lord of Might places His foot upon it, whereupon it will say, ‘Enough! Enough!’” (1) That is, “It is sufficient for me; it is sufficient for me.” Thus, qaṭṭ is a noun meaning “enough.” The prefix fa- has been added to it for euphony, and it is indeclinable with a final sukūn.

Question: If someone gives zakat al-fitr on the twenty-seventh day, and the month proves to have thirty days, does it suffice?

Answer: It does not suffice. He is like one who prays before the prescribed time, thinking that the time has begun.

Giving it on the day of Eid before the prayer is preferable. It is disliked during the remainder of that day. If he makes it up after its day, he is sinful. …

His statement, “Giving it on the day of Eid before the prayer is preferable,” means that giving zakat al-fitr on the day of Eid before the Eid prayer is better, due to the hadith of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “commanded that it be given before the people went out to the prayer” (2). This is because its purpose is to spare the poor from having to beg on that day, so that they may share with the wealthy in joy and happiness. This