Is it permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr more than a week before Eid, and what should one do if it is not permissible?

Scholars have differed on the time of giving out Zakat al-Fitr, holding three opinions:

1. The First Opinion (the most preponderant): One or two days before Eid, based on the hadith of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both. 2. The Second Opinion: From the beginning of the month of Ramadan. This is the view of the Hanafis and Shafi'is, who cited the presence of one of the two reasons for charity. 3. The Third Opinion: From the beginning of the year (Hawl). This is the view of some Hanafis and Shafi'is.

Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen holds that Zakat al-Fitr was named after Fitr because it is its cause and its time. The actual time of Fitr is after sunset on the last day of Ramadan, and the concession to give it out one or two days before Eid is merely a facilitation.

It is permissible to pay the Zakat to an agent or a charitable organization from the beginning of the month, provided that the agent distributes it one or two days before Eid. However, if you personally give it out a week before Eid, you must repeat it, unless you gave it to an agent committed to distributing it at its prescribed legal time.