Is it permissible for me to feed my poor brother, whom I support, the food of a poor person, given that my wife owes the food of a poor person?

The questioner : I have a brother who is on the verge of being considered poor, I mean.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : Is he considered poor? Is he counted among the poor, for example? And by the way, I feed him every day.

The Shaykh : You consider him poor. How do I know if he is poor or not? Do you know him?

The questioner : ... In terms of intellect, in terms of intellect, he is fine.

The Shaykh : Is he living with you?

The questioner : He is living in a separate house with my other brother. They have put him in a room for himself.

The Shaykh : How old is he?

The questioner : He is over thirty years old.

The Shaykh : What does he do for a living?

The questioner : He does not work.

The Shaykh : If it were.

The questioner : He is just sitting there. I call him to come break the fast with us, and my other brother calls him to come have dinner, and so on.

The Shaykh : Who supports him, since he has no profession?

The questioner : We, the brothers, I mean.

The Shaykh : I mean, are you giving him a specific salary, or how is it?

The questioner : No, no salary, no.

The Shaykh : And then?

The questioner : We bear the cost of his clothing and food.

The Shaykh : Okay, after this clarification, what is your question now regarding the poor person?

The questioner : Is my brother, when I feed him, considered as if I am feeding a poor person on behalf of my wife?

The Shaykh : No, you are obligated to support him, so your charity is not permissible for him.

The questioner : Because he is a brother, I mean.

The Shaykh: Yes.