Is it permissible to pay tuition fees for a needy person with the intention of giving charity on behalf of those who have rights that could not be reached, or is it better to lend him the money or to provide it for those who have rights?
You must hasten to return rights to their owners if you know them, and you are permitted to appoint someone to do so. However, if it is impossible to identify them, then give the money in charity on their behalf by placing it in Muslim welfare projects or giving it to the poor and needy. If the owner of the right is poor and in need, then you may give the money to him. You must clear your conscience by paying the money to its rightful owner or spending it on Muslim welfare projects, and it is not permissible to delay this.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/153943