The above hadeeths indicate that the amount of zakaat ul-fitr is one saa` of
the various types of food that can be measured. There is one exception to
this: In the case of wheat, the Prophet  commanded the people to give
two mudds, which are equal to half a saa`1. This was practiced by
Mu`aawiyah ( ) in Damascus.
The saa` was a fixed measure of capacity or volume. It varied from one
place to another; but the Prophet standardized it by stating:
Weights are according to Makkah's weights; and measures are according to
al-MaDeenah's measures.2
Thus, the amount should be measured according to al-Madeenah's saa`, which
is still available to this time. However, this measure is not accessible
to most people. Because of this, many scholars have estimated it
approximately to four full handfuls (with the hands put together) of an
average man3.
This demonstrates that it is wrong to measure zakaat ul-fitr by weight,
because the weight of one saa` varies for different materials. However, if
the relationship between weight and capacity is determined for a specific
material, the weight of one saa` of that material may then be used.
- Recorded by at-Tahaawee; this was narrated by Sa`eed Bin al-Musayyib and others among the Taabi`een. It is judged to be a good report (`Abdullaah Bin Yusuf).
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- Abu Daawood and others from Ibn `Umar; authentic (al-Hilaalee).
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- An-Nawawi in al-Majmoo` 6:69.
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