as the people of Medina experienced a scarcity of dates, so he gave barley. This is because dates possess both nutritional value (7) and sweetness, and they are easier to consume and less costly, thus they are more appropriate.

Section: The most excellent after dates is wheat. Some of our companions said: The most excellent after [dates] is raisins, because they are easier to consume and less costly, so they resemble dates. Our view is that wheat is more beneficial as a foodstuff and more effective in alleviating the need of the poor. Likewise, Abu Mijlaz said to Ibn 'Umar: Wheat is better than dates; meaning it is more beneficial and higher in value. Ibn 'Umar did not object to this, rather he opted against it only out of compliance with his companions and following their path. For this reason, he equated half a sa' of it to a sa' of other things. Mu'awiyah said: I consider two mudds of Sham wheat to be equal to a sa' of dates. People adopted this, and the preference for dates was only due to following the Companions; therefore, in anything other than that, it remains subject to the requirement of the evidence regarding the preference for wheat. It is possible that the most excellent after dates is that which is of higher value and greater benefit.

471 - Issue: He said: (And whoever is able to obtain dates, raisins, wheat, barley, or dried yogurt (aqit), and provides something else, it shall not suffice for him)

The outward implication of the school (madhhab) is that it is not permissible for him to deviate from these categories when he has the ability to obtain them, regardless of whether that to which he deviates is the staple food of his land or not. Abu Bakr said: Another opinion is possible, that he may give that which serves as a substitute (1) for the five, based on the apparent meaning of the hadith: a sa' of food, and food may include wheat, barley, and what falls under measure. He said: Both opinions are possible, and the most consistent with analogy is that nothing other than the five is permissible, unless he lacks them, in which case he may give what serves as their substitute. Malik said: He should provide from the staple food of the land. Al-Shafi'i said: Whatever food is the most common for a man, he should pay (2) his Zakat al-Fitr from it. His companions differed; some of them held the opinion of