Shaykh Ibn Baz clarified that there are two times for paying Zakat al-Fitr: a permissible time and a recommended, more virtuous time.

The permissible period begins one or two days before Eid al-Fitr. This is based on the practice of the Companions. It is reported that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to give it to those who would collect it, and they used to give it one or two days before Eid al-Fitr.

However, the best and most virtuous time to pay it is on the morning of Eid itself, before the Eid prayer. This is due to the direct command found in the hadith of Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) "ordered that it (Zakat al-Fitr) be given before the people went out to the (Eid) prayer."

The wisdom behind this timing is to ensure that the poor and needy receive the assistance on the day of Eid, enabling them to celebrate without having to ask from others. Delaying the payment until after the Eid prayer, without a valid excuse, causes it to be considered as regular charity (sadaqah) rather than the obligatory Zakat al-Fitr. This is based on the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a form of charity."

Therefore, a Muslim should strive to pay it at its most virtuous time, but it is acceptable to pay it a day or two in advance, especially if there is a need to ensure it reaches the rightful recipients on time through an agent or charity organization.