I went through a simple problem and I said, "If this problem is solved peacefully, I will make a vow to Allaah, the Most Merciful, to spend $200 in charity for the earthquake-stricken people of Pakistan." All praise is due to Allaah, the Exalted, my problem was peacefully solved. When I tried to pay the money, I could not find a way to send it to Pakistan, given that I live in the USA. What should I do? Can I pay that money to our neighborhood mosque to dispose of it as they wish or should I give it to the poor and needy myself?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The fact that you said, "If this problem is solved peacefully, I will make a vow to Allaah, the Most Merciful, to spend 200 in charity," does not constitute a binding vow. It is a promise to make a vow. Nevertheless, it is recommended for you to fulfill your promise and give the intended money in charity.

You may fulfill your promise yourself or by delegating someone to transfer the vowed money to Pakistan. If you could not do so and could not find someone to transfer the vowed money to Pakistan, which is unlikely as it has become very easy to transfer money to any part of the world nowadays, it would be enough for you to give that money to the poor and needy in your country of residence.

Allaah Knows best.