of the scriptural texts, and because the underlying rationale is multi-faceted—the foremost purpose being to feed the needy on that day, so that no Muslim is excluded from the Eid’s joy and festive spirit, with ample food, drink, and clothing.

Scholarly disagreement:

The preferred time to discharge it is at dawn on the day of Eid, before the prayer. This is the view of the jurists of the four madhhabs. If it is given after the prayer but still on that day, the majority—including the Shafiʿis and Hanbalis—consider it disliked; once that day has passed, it becomes prohibited.

Ibn Ḥazm maintained that delaying it beyond the prayer is unlawful and does not fulfill the obligation, citing the Prophet ﷺ: “Whoever pays it after the prayer, it is merely a charity among charities.” This, Allah knows best, is the soundest view among the scholars.