Permissibility of distributing money to poor people if it is hard to feed fasting people
Q:
The harvest of a piece of land is set up as Waqf (endowment) for Iftar (breaking the Fast) in Ramadan only. There is no one to take care of this Waqf except me.
However, I work in a far place and no one can prepare the Iftar on my behalf. The people in our village are shepherds and they work in various places and do not gather except on Fridays and on the days of `Eid. If I prepare the food, I can not find anyone to eat it. Is it permissible for me to distribute the harvest to those who deserve it or to sell the harvest and buy dates and distribute it to those who deserve?
A:
If the situation is as mentioned, that you are the only one responsible for this Waqf, that you cannot prepare the Iftar, no one can do this on your behalf and if it is prepared, you do not find anyone to eat it, it is permissible for you to distribute the harvest to the needy people in Ramadan or in the nearest village. It is also permissible for you to buy dates with its price and to distribute it to the needy people. (Part No. 16; Page No. 144) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.