Is it permissible to give half a Saa' of inexpensive dates as expiation for feeding ten needy people, knowing that one has little money?

There is no objection to the sufficiency of dates for expiation if they are of the average quality consumed by people and are free from defects. However, defective dates, such as those that are worm-eaten, altered in taste, or of the lowest quality, are not sufficient for expiation, due to the Almighty's saying: "{And do not aim for what is bad [of it] to spend therefrom}." The food given for expiation must be of the average quality that the people of the country eat. Whoever does not find sufficient money for expiation must fast three days for each oath.