Sins that Allah Almighty has informed man to expiate for by means of food
ذنوب طلب الله من الإنسان أن يكفر عنها بالإطعام
The concept of expiation in Islamic jurisprudence beautifully balances personal spiritual accountability with social welfare. When a believer falls into specific errors, Allah Almighty redirects their repentance towards helping the most vulnerable members of society by feeding them.
يوازن مفهوم الكفارة في الفقه الإسلامي بشكل رائع بين المساءلة الروحية الشخصية والرفاهية الاجتماعية. فعندما يقع المؤمن في أخطاء محددة، يوجه الله تعالى توبته نحو مساعدة أضعف أفراد المجتمع من خلال إطعامهم.
1. Broken Oaths and Vows | كفارات اليمين والنذر والإيلاء
The expiation for a broken oath, a broken vow, or an oath of abstention (Ilaa) is to feed ten needy people from the average of what you feed your own family, or to clothe them. In this case, one has a choice between feeding, clothing, or freeing a bondsman.
كفارات اليمين والنذر والإيلاء: إطعام عشرة مساكين من أوسط ما يطعم الرجل أهله أو كسوتهم. والكفارة هنا على التخيير بين هذه الأمور.
2. Violating the Fast of Ramadan | إفساد صوم رمضان والظهار
For heavier transgressions, the penalty increases. The expiation for the sin of Zihar (an unlawful pre Islamic form of divorce) and for having intimate relations during the day in Ramadan while fasting is to feed sixty needy people. However, this is sequential: one must first try to free a believing bondsman, then fast for two consecutive months, and only if unable to fast, they must feed sixty needy people.
الظهار ومن أفسد صومه بجماع في نهار رمضان: إطعام ستين مسكينا على الترتيب، وذلك بعد العجز عن تحرير رقبة مؤمنة أو صيام شهرين متتابعين.
The Quranic Command | الأمر القرآني
Allah Almighty explicitly outlines the rules for oaths in the Quran: (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.) Surah Al Maidah 5: 89.
This verse establishes the foundational rule: one has a choice of three things to do in order to expiate, and when he cannot afford or find any of them, only then does he transition to fasting.
قال الله تعالى: (لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ الْأَيْمَانَ ۖ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ) المائدة 5: 89.
والكفارة هنا كما تقدم على التخيير بين الثلاثة أمور، فإن لم يجد أو لم يستطع، انتقل حينها إلى الصيام.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What is the expiation for breaking a deliberate oath?
The expiation is a choice between feeding ten needy people, clothing them, or freeing a bondsman. If a person absolutely cannot afford any of these, they must fast for three days.
Can I choose to fast instead of feeding ten people for a broken oath?
No. You are only allowed to fast if you are financially unable to feed ten people, clothe them, or free a bondsman. If you have the financial means, feeding or clothing is mandatory.
What is the penalty for having intimate relations during a Ramadan fast?
The penalty is strict and sequential: one must free a bondsman. If unable, they must fast for two consecutive months. Only if they are physically unable to fast can they feed sixty needy people.