Allaah's Messenger SAWS obligated the Muslim and those he provides for, young and old, male and female, free and slave to give a saa' (around 2 kilograms) of dates or a saa' of barley or a saa' or dry cheese, or a saa' or raisins or half a saa' of wheat, or a saa' of the food of the people's land.
He SAWS would give it out in food and not cash.
It was from his SAWS practice to give the Zakaat-ul-Fitr a day or two prior to the 'Eed prayer.
It was from his SAWS practice to specifically give the Zakaat-ul-Fitr to the needy people (masaakeen). And he SAWS would not divide it separately for the eight categories of people mentioned in the Surah At-Tawbah (60)1 He SAWS would appoint one of his Companions to collect and guard the Zakaat-ul-Fitr.
