The Expiation for an Oath and Its Payment Through Associations

The questioner:
It must come from them.

The Shaykh:
The expiation for an oath combines choice and sequence. The choice is among three things: freeing a slave, feeding ten poor people, or clothing them. This is the choice.
As for if he does not find any of these three, then he fasts for three days. Allah the Exalted said: . So there is choice in it and there is sequence. Choice among the three attributes: freeing a slave, feeding, or clothing, and sequence between these three and fasting. Fasting is not permissible except for the one who does not find any of the three. As for giving it to associations, I do not think that is what is obligatory. He himself should pay the expiation and deliver it to its rightful owners, or appoint someone he trusts to pay it on his behalf. As for associations, one does not know who receives it, one does not know who distributes it, and one does not know who it goes to. These associations are not guaranteed. They are broad associations, and they undertake for each person that they will act immediately, distribute it, and give it to the recipient. They include it in this group, this aggregate, and it may take a year or two before it reaches the owner, or it may be forgotten afterwards, so the person’s obligation is not discharged. Delivering it to associations is contrary to the case of a single individual if you appoint him, for he will take charge of it and deliver it, or he will say to you, “No, I am not able to.” But the association takes it, and each one relies on the other, and they collect it with others, and perhaps it does not reach its rightful recipients, and they do not care about this. They do not know about you, so-and-so, and so-and-so. This is a broad association. Yes. The offering for the deceased is the offering for the deceased through righteous deeds that have come in the evidence: supplication for him, seeking forgiveness for him.

The Shaykh:
Performing Hajj on his behalf, performing 'Umrah on his behalf, and giving charity on his behalf—this is what is offered to the deceased. This is supported by the evidence; its reward is offered to the deceased: charity, supplication, and seeking forgiveness, as well as Hajj or 'Umrah. Yes.