Q: When giving fidyah for a deceased person’s prayers and fasts, is it necessary to use the fidyah money to feed the poor (those eligible for zakaat) or can the money be spent on the poor in other ways? For example:
a. In places where food is served to the poor, the fidyah money is spent on seating arrangements, such as providing the poor with dariyyan (دریاں).
b. Providing the needy with the money for a poor girl’s marriage.
c. Just giving the money to the poor to spend it as they like.
A: Give the fidyah money to the poor and thereafter they may use it as they please.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)