❖ Islamic Method and Conditions for Expiation of an Oath (Kaffārah al-Yamīn) ❖
This writing is excerpted from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
What is the expiation (kaffārah) for breaking an oath?
Allah ﷻ has explained the expiation of an oath in the Qur'an:
In Surah al-Mā’idah, Allah says:
﴿لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّـهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ...﴾ [5:89]
“Allah will not call you to account for unintentional oaths, but He will hold you to account for oaths which you bind yourselves. The expiation for it is: feeding ten needy people with the average food you serve your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. But whoever cannot find (means), then he must fast three days. This is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus Allah makes His verses clear to you so that you may be grateful.”
✔ Unintentional or idle oaths are those uttered without firm intention, such as saying “No, by Allah” or “Yes, by Allah” in the flow of speech. No expiation is due upon such oaths.
✔ Expiation is only obligatory for oaths made with firm intention of the heart. If such an oath is broken, one must fulfill the expiation.
The person has a choice between the following three options:
① Feeding ten poor people:
Feed each one a meal equivalent to what is normally cooked for one's own household—either lunch or dinner—or give them sufficient food equivalent in quantity.
② Clothing ten poor people:
Provide each one with at least the minimum clothing in which prayer can be performed.
③ Freeing a slave (if possible).
◈ If a person is unable to do any of the above three, then the alternative is:
④ Fasting for three consecutive days.
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen ḥafiẓahullāh)
This writing is excerpted from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
What is the expiation (kaffārah) for breaking an oath?
❖ Answer:
Allah ﷻ has explained the expiation of an oath in the Qur'an:
In Surah al-Mā’idah, Allah says:
﴿لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّـهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ...﴾ [5:89]
“Allah will not call you to account for unintentional oaths, but He will hold you to account for oaths which you bind yourselves. The expiation for it is: feeding ten needy people with the average food you serve your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. But whoever cannot find (means), then he must fast three days. This is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus Allah makes His verses clear to you so that you may be grateful.”
❖ Explanation:
✔ Unintentional or idle oaths are those uttered without firm intention, such as saying “No, by Allah” or “Yes, by Allah” in the flow of speech. No expiation is due upon such oaths.
✔ Expiation is only obligatory for oaths made with firm intention of the heart. If such an oath is broken, one must fulfill the expiation.
❖ Method of Expiation:
The person has a choice between the following three options:
① Feeding ten poor people:
Feed each one a meal equivalent to what is normally cooked for one's own household—either lunch or dinner—or give them sufficient food equivalent in quantity.
② Clothing ten poor people:
Provide each one with at least the minimum clothing in which prayer can be performed.
③ Freeing a slave (if possible).
◈ If a person is unable to do any of the above three, then the alternative is:
④ Fasting for three consecutive days.
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen ḥafiẓahullāh)
