Q: My father passed away recently and was in hospital and unable to perform salaah for a few days. We have tallied up the salaats (5 daily salaats including witr) from the time he was admitted. We have calculated 63 salaats.
The query relates to firstly the Sadaqatul Fitr figure which we are unsure how to calculate and the persons to whom we may distribute this amount to. My father missed salahs during the period 9th - 19th August 2021.
A: If he made a bequest that fidyah be discharged for his missed salaah, then the amount of sadaqatul fitr will be discharged for each missed salaah from one-third of the estate. The fidyah should be given to a poor Muslim who is a recipient of zakaat. The amount of sadaqatul fitr is the value of half saa of wheat (i.e. 1.592136 Kg) which is approximately R20 at present in this country. If he did not make a bequest that fidyah be discharged for his missed salaah, then the entire estate will be distributed among his heirs according to their shar'ee stipulated shares of inheritance. No amount of the inheritance can be removed to discharge the fidyah for his missed salaah. However, if the heirs wish, they may discharge the fidyah from their own personal wealth.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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