What is the ruling on establishing a project to collect Zakat al-Fitr in cash, then purchasing food and distributing it to the poor? Is this considered contrary to the Sunnah? And what is the ruling on the selected food items (rice, dates, jameed [dried yogurt], lentils, flour), given the permissibility of giving dates even if they are not staple food? What is the accepted measure for the prophetic Sa' (Sa' al-Nabawi), especially for flour?

It is permissible to delegate the distribution of Zakat al-Fitr, and it is preferable to distribute it in the country of the one paying the zakat. The types of foodstuff to be given as Zakat al-Fitr are a saa‘ of food, or barley, or dates, or dried yogurt (aqit), or raisins. It is permissible to give any staple food consumed by people. Rice and lentils are permissible if they are staple foods, and dried yogurt (aqit) is permissible. Dates are permissible to be given absolutely, as they are mentioned in the text. As for flour, there is a difference of opinion regarding it, and it is better to avoid it. The saa‘ is estimated by reliable methods, and the amount of flour is considered by the weight of its grain.