Q 3:
Is the receipt of Zakat-ul-Fitr (obligatory charity paid before the Festival of Breaking the Fast) by the charitable societies regarded as a legal and acceptable payment of it or is it necessary to deliver it directly to the needy before the due time of Salat-ul-`Eid (the Festival Prayer)?
What is the legal method to adopt when some recipients who were intended to be given of this Zakah are absent?
A 3:
The receipt of Zakat-ul-Fitr by the charitable societies is not a legal delivery of this Zakah and it is a must to deliver it to the poor before going to the Salat-ul-`Eid. When the poor person intended is not present, he may entrust someone to receive it on his behalf or it may be given to another poor person of those who are present before the due time of Salat-ul-`Eid.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.