Fatwa ID: 05368

Answered by: Mufti Jamal Ahmed

Question

I had a habit of fantasizing about things. I once vowed to Allah that if a certain thing happens I will never fantasize about things. But after that thing happened I kept on fantasizing about things and did it more than a thousand times. Now do I have to offer one expiation or for every time I broke the vow? I know if I can’t pay the expiation then I will have to fast for three days. Do I have to fast three days every time I broke the vow or is it sufficient to fast three days for all time?

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Answer

If you have fantasized after you vowed not to, then you will need to give kaffarah. Kaffarah is to free a slave, or to give clothes to ten poor people, or to feed ten people two meals, if you cannot do any of the above then you will need to fast for three consecutive days. (Lubab, pg. 8, vol. 4, Al Maktabtul Ilmiyah. In your case, you have to give one kaffarah as there is one vow and kaffarah is such that will not be doubled. 

(ومن حرم على نفسه شيئاً مما يملكه) وذلك أن يقول: هذا الطعام علي حرام، أو حرام علي أكله (لم يصر محرماً لعينه، وعليه إن استباحه كفارة يمين) ؛ لأن اللفظ ينبئ عن إثبات الحرمة، وقد أمكن إعماله بثبوت الحرمة لغيره بإثبات موجب اليمين؛ فيصار إليه، هداية. وكذا لو كان حراماً أو ملك غيره كقوله

الخمر أو مال فلان علي حرام، ما لم يرد الإخبار، خانية.

Lubab, pg.10, vol.4, Al Maktabtul Ilmiyah.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Mufti Jamal Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham