Which of the two is more deserving of charity: the poor widowed sister who lives on social security and has two sons who do not give her money, or the poor widowed neighbor who has no income after her husband's death and has four young daughters?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If your sister is poor and has no one to support her, or if her provider is unable or unwilling to spend on her, then it is permissible to give her from the obligatory and voluntary charity. However, if your neighbor is poorer, then it is better to give to her, because the one in greater need is prioritized, even if they are not a relative.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/145737
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 145737
- 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.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy