Kaffarah for not fulfilling one’s oath
Question:-
1. What is the Kaffarah for not fulfilling one’s oath?
2. Can one discharge the Kaffarah monetarily?
3. Can the funds be given to one poor person?
4. Can groceries be given instead of cash?
Answer:-
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For breaking an oath one is required to either free a slave, or feed 10 poor people (that qualify as recipients of Zakaat) twice (morning and evening), or clothe ten poor people (that qualify as recipients of Zakaat). The minimal requirement when clothing one is that he should be given that amount of clothing by which the Satr is concealed and he is able to perform Salaah. If one is so poor that he is unable to do any of the above, then he may fast for three days consecutively (as the last and final resort.)
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Yes, one may give each poor person the monetary value of two meals in lieu of his Kaffarah. In this case, the amount of Sadaqatul Fitr will be taken into consideration, which is approximately R23 or so. The actual amount may be checked on the Jamiat website.
ثم اعلم أن الكفارات كلها لا يجوز إعطاء فقير فيها أقل من نصف صاع (البحر الرائق ص108 ج4)
–ایک صدقہ فطر کی مقدار پوری ایک ہی شخص کو دی جا ئے خواہ وہ جنس کی شکل میں ہو یا قیمت کی شکل میں – (کتاب النوازل ص۲۸۹ ج۱۰)
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We understand from the text of the jurists that if a person intends feeding one person (instead of feeding ten people), then he will have to feed him daily, morning and evening, for a period of ten days. By doing so, it will be as though he is feeding a different person daily, as the need of the poor person is renewed on a daily basis.
Based on the above, if one intends giving the monetary value to one poor person, then he should give him the amount of Sadaqatul Fitr on a daily basis for a period of ten days. The entire amount should not be given at once.
ولو اطعم فقيرا ستين يوما اجزاه لانه يتجدد الحاجة لكل يوم يصير بمنزلة فقير اخر (حاشية الطحطوي علي مراقي الفلاح ص680 قديمي)
جاز لو اطعم واحدا ستين يوما لتجدد الحاجة (در مختار مع الشامي ص145 ج5)
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Yes, groceries may also be given to 10 poor people (in lieu of one’s Kaffarah) with the proviso that each person’s grocery hamper is equivalent to the value of Sadaqatul Fitr or more.