Is it permissible to delay delivering Zakat al-Fitr to those deserving of it for a few hours, or a day or two, knowing that it left the giver's possession at its prescribed time according to Sharia and before the Eid prayer?

The default rule is that Zakat al-Fitr is distributed among the poor in the country where it became obligatory. However, it is permissible to transfer it to another country if there are no eligible recipients there, or if there are poorer and more needy individuals elsewhere. If it is transferred, distribution must be expedited as much as possible so that it is not delayed beyond the Eid day. A delay of two days or less due to a legitimate excuse is permissible. The majority of jurists state that it is not permissible to delay its disbursement beyond the day of Eid, although there are other opinions that permit a slight delay for an excuse. It is permissible for an agent to receive the zakat from the payer a sufficient time before Eid al-Fitr to ensure it reaches its rightful recipients on time.