Paying Sadaqat al-Fitr on Behalf of Family Living in Another City ❖
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❀ Question:
If a man is residing in Makkah while his family is in Riyadh, can he pay Sadaqat al-Fitr on their behalf in Makkah?
❀ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
➊ It is permissible for a person to pay Sadaqat al-Fitr on behalf of his family in a city different from where they reside.
✔ Therefore, if someone is in Makkah and his family is in Riyadh, he may pay their Sadaqat al-Fitr in Makkah.
❖ However, What Is More Virtuous?
➋ The preferable practice is that Sadaqat al-Fitr should be paid in the location where the person is physically present at the time of payment.
✔ So, if a person is in Makkah at the time of giving Sadaqat al-Fitr, he should pay it in Makkah.
✔ If he is in Riyadh, then it is better to pay it in Riyadh.
❖ Distribution Based on the Location of Family Members:
➌ If some family members are in Makkah and others in Riyadh, then:
✔ Those in Riyadh should have their Sadaqat al-Fitr paid in Riyadh,
✔ and those in Makkah should have it paid in Makkah.
❖ Reason for This:
This is because Sadaqat al-Fitr follows the body (i.e., the physical presence of the individual) — it is tied to the person, not the location of the head of the household.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
