Did Sheikh Al-Islam issue a fatwa permitting the giving of Zakat al-Fitr in cash, and did Sheikh Al-Albani agree with him on this fatwa?

There is no explicit text from Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah concerning the issue of giving value in Zakat al-Fitr. However, Burhan al-Din Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned in Shaykh al-Islam's choices that giving value in Zakat al-Mal (wealth zakat) and Zakat al-Fitr is permissible if it is more beneficial for the needy. Furthermore, Ibn Taymiyyah generally views the permissibility of giving value in zakat when there is a need or an overriding benefit. He was asked about this and replied that giving value for a need, benefit, or justice is permissible. He mentioned expiations (kaffarat) and said "and the like," which includes Zakat al-Fitr, as it is of the same type as expiations. Moreover, Sadaqat al-Fitr, expiation for oaths and sexual intercourse during Ramadan, and others, are all related to the person. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah chose the absolute sufficiency of giving value in Zakat al-Mal and Zakat al-Fitr if there was a need or an overriding benefit.