Does one who relies on debt to meet their needs remain eligible for the atonement of feeding the poor, even if they have sufficient income or charity?
Allah has legislated the payment of expiatory food (kaffarah) only to the needy (masakeen), not to other categories eligible for zakat, as evidenced by Allah's saying: "(feeding sixty needy persons)." It is not permissible to give it to anyone other than the poor and the needy, because Allah Almighty commanded it for the needy and singled them out for it. So, if a needy person has enough to suffice him for a year, the expiatory food should not be given to him. However, if he does not have enough to suffice him, then he is among the poor and needy to whom the expiatory food should be given.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/182755