Is it obligatory to ask the needy person about his prayer when expiating by feeding, or is the apparent taken into consideration?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The person giving the expiation food is not required to inquire whether the poor person receiving it prays or not. The fundamental principle is that a Muslim should maintain their prayers. Even if it is confirmed that they do not pray, the disbelief of one who abandons prayer is a matter of scholarly disagreement. The preponderant opinion is that it is a minor disbelief (kufr dūna kufr), not one that expels a person from the faith. Therefore, there is no impediment to giving expiation to a poor person who does not pray, provided they are indeed poor, though righteous individuals are more deserving.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/136531
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 136531
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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