Paying the Sadaqatul Fitr on the First of Ramadhaan

Question: When must the Sadaqatul Fitr be paid? Whereas the books of Fiqh usually state that the Sadaqatul Fitr is to be paid during Ramadhaan and before the day of Eid, Hadhrat Moulana Mufti Muhammad Mia sahib RAH. has written the following in his publication "Deeni Ta'leem kaa Risaala" (No.11, pg.81) "While it is permissible to pay the Sadaqatul Fitr during Ramadhaan and before the day of Eid, it is not permissible to pay it before Ramadhaan. Such as during Sha'baan or Rajab.

The footnote of this text explains that the example is similar to that of zakaah when a person pays zakaah before becoming the owner of the Nisaab amount. Such an act will be regarded as Nafl charity and not zakaah.

However, the opposite is cited in the book ilmul Fiqh. It states that it is permissible to pay the Sadaqatul Fitr even before Ramadhaan.t This opinion is supported by the book At Fiqh alaa Madhaa 'hibil Arba'a (Vol.1.Pg. 627) Fataawaa Aalamgeeri (Vol.1 Pg.300) also states that it is permissible to pay the Sadaqatul Fiir before Ramadhaan. Please clarify the preferred opinion to dispel our doubts.

Answer: The Ulema differ on this issue. Although there is an opinion stating that it may be paid before Ramadhaan, this opinion conflicts with caution. Although Ulema differ about paying in Ramadhaan as well, the stronger opinion is that this is in order and the sadaqatul Fitr will be valid.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3