Threw the pebbles on the 11th and

Q 1: I went to perform Hajj. When I went to throw Al-Jamrah Al-Kubra on the day of `Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice), it was very crowded and I was under the bridge and did not know what the stone pillar (i.e., Satan) looked like as I had never seen it before. I saw the people throwing pebbles at a pillar so I threw the seven pebbles at it like them. Since then, I have been confused and I do not know what to do. If I have to pay Fidyah (ransom) or not, and I do not know the needy people in Makkah. Is it permissible for me to pay it in cash to a needy person here in Riyadh or anywhere else?

A: If you throw Jamarat Al-`Aqabah on the day of `Eid at the stone pillar and (Part No. 11; Page No. 277) it does not fall in the pit, your throwing is not valid and it becomes obligatory upon you to slaughter an animal in Makkah and to distribute it to the needy people in Makkah. In case the pebbles did fall into the pit, your throwing is valid and there is no sin on you. However, it is not permissible to pay the value of the sacrifice that you should slaughter to a needy person in cash. You should slaughter it in Makkah and distribute its meat to the needy people in Makkah. It is also permissible to authorize someone to buy, slaughter, and distribute the meat to the needy people in Makkah. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.