What should be done with food vowed to other than Allah

Question

Question: If food from a vow (nadhr) and niyaz (a votive food offering made in the name of a saint) to other than Allah is received as a gift unknowingly, and then, when one tries to return it, they do not take it back, may it be given to the poor or not? Or should it be buried, or given to an animal?

Answer

If it is a vow in the name of other than Allah, then it should be put in a place where an animal will eat it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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