Nasai

1581. Commentary: The mentioned narration is weak in terms of its chain of transmission because the hearing (sama‘) of Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah from Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma is not established. However, the issue of zakat al-fitr (charity of breaking the fast) stated in the narration is established from other authentic ahadith. Most likely for this reason, the scholars have declared the first part of the narration «ان ابن عباس خطب بالبصرۃ ۔ ۔ ۔ ۔ فانھم لایعلمون» to be weak, and the second part «ان رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فرض ۔ ۔ ۔ من تعر او شعیر» to be authentic based on other supporting evidences. For details, see: (Da‘if Sunan Abi Dawud (Mufassal) by al-Albani: 2/121–123, no. 288; Dhakheerat al-‘Uqba Sharh Sunan al-Nasa’i: 22/280–286). Therefore, the correct position according to the evidences is that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prescribed zakat al-fitr as half a sa‘ of wheat or one sa‘ of dates or one sa‘ of barley for every young and old, free and slave, male and female. It appears that if a person gives half a sa‘ of wheat instead of a full sa‘ as zakat al-fitr, then insha’Allah this is also permissible. To consider this merely the opinion and ijtihad (independent reasoning) of a Companion is questionable, because it is also established as marfu‘ (attributed to the Prophet). However, giving a full sa‘ is better and more preferable, as is supported by general ahadith. And Allah knows best. For further details, see Sunan al-Nasa’i, Book of Zakat, Chapter: The Measure of Zakat al-Fitr.

1622. Commentary: The aforementioned various narrations establish the specification (takhsis) regarding wheat. However, in the authentic narration of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri radi Allahu anhu, it is explicitly stated that all of this occurred only after the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. (Nayl al-Awtar 4/206) And this is the preference of the scholars of Ahl al-Hadith: that one should also give one sa‘ of wheat.

(1) The research regarding the authenticity and weakness of the mentioned narration has already been discussed in detail in the benefits of Hadith: 1581. The summary of which is that the issue stated in the mentioned narration is correct and authentic.

(2) In Basra, not all people were so educated, whereas the people of Madinah were scholars because Madinah Munawwarah was the center of knowledge.

(3) Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu was the governor of Basra during the caliphate of Ali radi Allahu anhu.

(4) Apparently, from this narration it seems that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam prescribed half a sa‘ (صاع) of wheat. However, this narration is weak. While some other narrations confirm that half a sa‘ was also prescribed by the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam himself. It was not merely the ijtihad (independent reasoning) of Sayyiduna Mu‘awiyah radi Allahu anhu, nor can it be said that wheat did not exist in the Prophetic era. The narrations regarding half a sa‘ of wheat, taken collectively, are indeed reliable. See: (al-Sahihah: 3/171). Therefore, giving half a sa‘ of wheat is also correct. Nevertheless, despite all this, especially in our region of Pakistan and India, giving one sa‘ of wheat is preferable and superior, because this was the practice of the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum, both during the blessed era of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and afterwards. (And Allah knows best)

For benefits, see Hadith number 2510.