Is it permissible to give the expiatory feeding of the needy to those in debt, or those who have to pay taxes, or marriage expenses, or electricity bills, if there are no needy people with the known characteristics in the country?
Expiation (kaffarah) is given to the needy among the poor and the indigent who cannot find enough to suffice them. This includes those who need to pay bills or taxes, or who cannot find the means to get married. Allah Almighty says: "Its expiation is the feeding of ten poor people from the average of what you feed your own families." A needy person (miskin) is one who possesses money or earns an income, but it is not enough for his basic needs of food, drink, clothing, and housing. Someone in need of marriage is given from the expiation because it is part of fulfilling his sufficiency. If you cannot find the needy, then hand over the expiation to a charity organization or a trustworthy shaykh.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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