The Ruling on Distributing Zakat al-Fitr to the Poor Around the Sacred Precinct

Question : The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible to distribute Zakat al-Fitr, or part of it, to the poor of the Haram, given that their circumstances are unknown?

Answer : Yes, it is permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr to the poor, whether they are in the Haram or outside the Haram. One distributes it to the poor of his own land, and a preponderant assumption is sufficient in this matter. That is, if it is your preponderant assumption that this person is poor, give to him, and there is no blame on you, even if it later turns out that he is wealthy. The zakah is accepted and sufficient.