Is it permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr for two years, by analogy with the permissibility of giving Zakat al-Mal for two years?

The time for the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr begins with the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, and it is permissible to pay it one or two days before Eid. The Hanafis have allowed its advancement by analogy with Zakat al-Mal (Zakat on wealth), but the preponderant opinion is that it is not permissible to advance it beyond its legally specified time.

There are two distinctions between Zakat al-Fitr and Zakat al-Mal: 1. The reason for the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr is the sunset of the last day of Ramadan. Therefore, it is not permissible to advance it before this cause occurs. This differs from Zakat al-Mal, which can be advanced once the nisab (minimum taxable amount) is owned. 2. The wisdom behind Zakat al-Fitr is to enrich the poor on the day of Eid, and this wisdom is missed by advancing it. In contrast, the wisdom behind Zakat al-Mal is to enrich the poor generally, without being restricted to a specific time. It may also be added that Zakat al-Fitr is small in amount, so no significant benefit is gained by advancing it.