Collecting Zakat-ul-Fitr from people in cash and delivering it to the Ministry of Social Affairs of the state to spend thereof throughout the year

Q: One of the Arab countries undertakes the duty of collecting Zakat-ul-Fitr (obligatory charity paid before the Festival of Breaking the Fast) from people in cash through Zakah officers sent to villages and cities. These sums of money are collected and delivered to the balance of the Ministry of Social Affairs of the state to be paid throughout the year on a periodic basis. Every three months, the aid is given to the legal recipients registered in the Ministry of Social Affairs. However, the aid may be delivered to some people who are not legal recipients. This money also covers the salaries and allowances of the government officials who undertake the task of collecting these sums from villages and cities. Thus, Zakat-ul-Fitr is considered a source of supplying the Ministry of Social Affairs. Some people feel uneasy about this and then pay Zakat-ul-Fitr twice. First, they pay it according to the legal command. Second, they deliver it to government officials. Please, advise us about the validity of this activity to inform people and guide them to the proper legal way in this regard. Please let the Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) be in written form to be easy for us to print it out.

A: You should pay Zakat-ul-Fitr at the due time that is legally fixed for its payment, which is the night preceding the day of `Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast). However, it is acceptable to give it one or two days earlier than the day of `Eid-ul-Fitr. The amount given should be Sa` of staple food which is about 3 kilograms that should be of edible substance (i.e. wheat, barley, corn, rice, etc). It is not acceptable to pay the value of the Sa`, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded us to give it out of the [staple] food. (Part No. 8; Page No. 264) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.