Fatwa ID: 03040

Answered by:  Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah​

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

I have broken a couple oaths but I am not sure how many, it is generally in the 3-7 range. I follow the Hanafi school and have attempted to pay kaffara for each one by putting in cash (specifically 30 USD) for each oath into the "for the poor" donation box in the local masjid.

Have I discharged my duty or do I have to physically give 10 individual people two meals each?

Answer:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

In Islam, if someone breaks an oath, paying Kaffarah is needed. In this case, Allah says “So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] – then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths.”[1]

Imam Ala Al-Deen Samarqandi mentions: “If he desires he may feed every needy person half a Sa [roughly 3.250 kg] of wheat or by dirhams dinars equivalent to its value.”[2]

Therefore, by putting in the cash into the "for the poor" donation box in the local masjid will discharge the kaffarah.

Only Allah knows best

Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham