It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) made it obligatory to give one sa’ of dates or barley as Sadaqat al-Fitr on every male and female, free and slave. Later, people considered half a sa’ of wheat to be equivalent to one sa’ of these items. Imam Nafi’ says: Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to give dates as Sadaqat al-Fitr, but in one year there was a shortage of dates, so he gave barley.