A poor employee works at the same company as me. Two days ago, his wallet—containing his ATM card and other identity documents—was stolen. On the same day, his monthly salary was withdrawn by an unknown person, which means that he lost his salary and identity documents. Out of sympathy, a group of the company's employees tried to collect a sum of money from other employees to support him. My question is: Is it permissible to contribute to this with the intention of paying zakat-ul-Fitr?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

May Allah reward you for your sympathy towards your colleague as well as for your kind endeavor to support him. As for paying zakat to him, it is permissible if he is a legal recipient of zakat and one of the poor, even on a temporary basis. Allah Almighty says (what means): {Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] ...} [Quran 9: 60]

If he owns money, but not enough for his sustenance, he is to be considered poor as well. This is because poverty means need. Allah Almighty says (what means): {O mankind, you are the poor to Allah, while Allah is the Free of need, The Praiseworthy.} [Quran 35: 15]

“The poor to Allah” means “in need of Him”.

If he has enough money other than his salary, then it is impermissible to give him zakat, due to the verse of the Quran mentioned above. Also, the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Zakat may not be given to a rich man or to one who is strong and healthy enough (to earn his living).” [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

This is applicable to zakat in general. As for zakat-ul-Fitr (post-Ramadan obligatory charity), it has to be given to two types of recipients, the poor and the needy. If this person is regarded as poor or needy, after he had been stolen from, then you are allowed to pay him zakat-ul-Fitr. Here you should be careful about two things:

First: Most of the scholars are of the opinion that zakat-ul-Fitr must be given as food stuff, and they forbid paying its monetary value.

Second: Most of the scholars are of the opinion that it must not be given before its due date, which is in the morning of ‘Eed day, before the prayer, or one or two days in advance. This is prescribed for one who pays by himself. As for the one who delegates another one to do so, he has to pay it early enough so that the deputy can pay it to the poor on time.

Allah Knows best.