Is it permissible to give Kaffarah to a minor, and how should the payment be handled?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
It is permissible to give Kaffarah to an adult or a minor, provided the minor is one who eats food. If giving to a minor, the payment must be delivered to their guardian, who accepts it on the minor's behalf, as the minor himself cannot validly take possession.
Supporting text
If the recipient is one who does not eat food, the apparent view from Al-Kharqi is that giving payment is impermissible, as this resembles giving the monetary equivalent. However, Abu Al-Khattab permits it because the recipient is poor and eligible to receive from Zakat, making him analogous to an adult.