Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (6/181)

of wheat; thus, they regard wheat as half of other commodities. However, the correct view in this matter is that what is obligatory is one sa' of wheat or any other commodity.

Yet the question remains: if these types of food, or some of them, are not staple foods, do they still suffice?

The answer is that the correct view is that they do not suffice. This is why it is reported from Imam Ahmad that dried curds do not suffice unless they are a staple food. They were only specifically mentioned in the hadith because they were food at the time; thus, their mention is by way of example, not specification. This is supported by what is established in Sahih al-Bukhari from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: “During the time of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—we used to give it as one sa' of food, and our food at that time was dates, raisins, barley, and dried curds.” (1)

His words, “of food,” indicate the underlying reason: namely, that it is food which is eaten and given as food.

This is further supported and strengthened by the Prophet’s words: “Spare them from having to ask on this day.” (2) Although this hadith is weak, it is strengthened by the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: “He prescribed it—that is, zakat al-fitr—as a purification for the fasting person from idle and obscene speech, and as food for the needy.” (3) Accordingly, if these things are not staple foods, as they were during the time of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—they do not suffice.

(1) Its sourcing was previously given on p. 178. (2) Reported by al-Daraqutni (2:152-153), al-Bayhaqi (4:175), and Ibn Adi (2519), on the authority of Ibn Umar. Its chain of transmission contains Abu Mashar. Al-Daraqutni said, “Weak,” and al-Hafiz said in Bulugh al-Maram (628), “Its chain of transmission is weak.” (3) Its sourcing was previously given on p. 150.

من البر فيجعلون البر على النصف من غيره، ولكن الصحيح في هذه المسألة أن الواجب صاع من بر أو غيره. لكن يبقى النظر فيما إذا لم تكن هذه الأنواع أو بعضها قوتاً فهل تجزئ؟ الجواب: الصحيح أنها لا تجزئ ولهذا ورد عن الإمام أحمد: الأقط لا يجزئ إلا إذا كان قوتاً، وإنما نص عليها في الحديث؛ لأنها كانت طعاماً فيكون ذكرها على سبيل التمثيل لا التعيين؛ لما ثبت في صحيح البخاري عن أبي سعيد الخذري ﵁ قال: «كنا نخرجها في عهد رسول الله ﷺ صاعاً من طعام، وكان طعامنا يومئذٍ التمر والزبيب والشعير والأقط» (١). فقوله: «من طعام» فيه إشارة إلى العلة، وهي أنها طعام يؤكل ويطعم. ويرجح هذا ويقويه قول النبي ﷺ: «أغنوهم عن السؤال في هذا اليوم» (٢)، وهذا الحديث وإن كان ضعيفاً لكن يقويه حديث ابن عباس ﵄ «فرضها أي: زكاة الفطرطهرة للصائم من اللغو والرفث وطعمة للمساكين» (٣)، وعلى هذا فإن لم تكن هذه الأشياء من القوت كما كانت في عهد الرسول ﷺ فإنها لا تجزئ.

(١) سبق تخريجه ص (١٧٨). (٢) أخرجه الدارقطني (٢/ ١٥٢، ١٥٣)؛ والبيهقي (٤/ ١٧٥)؛ وابن عدي (٢٥١٩) عن ابن عمر ﵄ وفي إسناده أبو معشر، قال الدارقطني «ضعيف» وقال الحافظ في البلوغ (٦٢٨): «إسناده ضعيف». (٣) سبق تخريجه ص (١٥٠).