Transferring Zakat-ul-Fitr to a country other than that wherein the Zakah payer lives

Q 1: With regard to Zakat-ul-Fitr (obligatory charity paid before the Festival of Breaking the Fast) in Europe and the United States; is it permissible (Part No. 8; Page No. 275) to collect it and then send it to the Mujahids (ones fighting in the Cause of Allah) in some Islamic countries? Some people claim that this is not permissible and that it should be paid in cereals and distributed among the needy who are not found in the countries where we are, while the Mujahids are in dire need of it.

A: Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim who witnesses sunset on the last day of Ramadan. It is permissible to pay it one or two days before `Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast). However, it is Mustahab (desirable) to pay it on the `Eid-ul-Fitr day before offering Salat-ul-`Eid (the Festival Prayer), for this is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did. Collecting Zakat-ul-Fitr from the beginning of Ramadan is contrary to the Sunnah (whatever reported from the Prophet) and the action of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), so it is not permissible to ask people to pay it before its due time.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.