When is atonement for the broken oath required?
متى تجب الكفارة في اليمين؟
Islam respects the sanctity of an oath made in the name of Allah. However, because humans are prone to changing circumstances and making mistakes, Islamic law provides a merciful way out through atonement (Kaffarah) when keeping the oath becomes impossible or unfavorable.
يحترم الإسلام قدسية القسم باسم الله. ومع ذلك، ولأن البشر عرضة لتغير الظروف وارتكاب الأخطاء، توفر الشريعة الإسلامية مخرجا رحيما من خلال الكفارة عندما يصبح الوفاء بالقسم مستحيلا أو غير مستحب.
The Three Conditions for Atonement | شروط وجوب الكفارة الثلاثة
Atonement is obligatory in the following conditions:
تجب الكفارة بشروط:
1. A Deliberate Oath
The oath is taken deliberately. This means it is a firm, intended oath originating from the heart, unlike a thoughtless slip of the tongue for which there is no accountability.
1. اليمين المنعقدة
أن تكون اليمين منعقدة. وهذا يعني أنه قسم مقصود نابع من القلب، وليس مجرد لغو عابر على اللسان لا حساب عليه.
2. Willingness and Free Choice
The swearer takes such oath willingly. The individual must make the oath out of their own free will, without being forced or coerced by someone else.
2. الاختيار
أن يكون الحالف مختارا. أي أن الشخص أقسم بمحض إرادته الحرة، دون أن يكون مجبرا أو مكرها من قبل شخص آخر.
3. Breaking the Oath
To break his oath by doing the opposite of what he has taken the oath for. Atonement only becomes due when the actual violation occurs.
3. الحنث في اليمين
أن يحنث في يمينه بأن يفعل خلاف ما حلف على تركه. فلا تجب الكفارة إلا عند وقوع المخالفة الفعلية للقسم.
The Quranic Command and Expiation Options | الأمر القرآني وخيارات الكفارة
Allah the Almighty says: (Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. The penalty for a broken oath is to feed ten poor people from what you normally feed your own family, or to clothe them, or to free a bondsperson. But if none of this is affordable, then you must fast three days. This is the penalty for breaking your oaths. So be mindful of your oaths. This is how Allah makes things clear to you, so perhaps you will be grateful.) Surah Al Ma'idah 5: 89.
قال الله تعالى: (لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ الْأَيْمَانَ ۖ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ أَيْمَانِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ) المائدة 5: 89.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What are the main conditions for an oath to require expiation?
The oath must be deliberate (not a slip of the tongue), taken willingly without force, and the person must actually break the oath.
What is the penalty for breaking a deliberate oath?
The penalty is to either feed ten poor people, clothe them, or free a bondsperson. If a person truly cannot afford any of these, they must fast for three days.
Can I just fast three days instead of feeding the poor?
No. Fasting three days is only permissible if you genuinely cannot afford to feed ten poor people or clothe them. If you have the financial means, you must fulfill the financial penalty first.