What is kaffarat al-yamin (expiation for breaking an oath)?
Answered with evidence from the Quran and authentic Hadith
Quick Answer
If you break an oath (yamin) made in Allah's name, you must perform kaffarah: feed 10 poor people (one meal each), or clothe 10 poor people, or free a slave. If unable to do any of these three, you must fast 3 days. The kaffarah applies only to oaths made in Allah's name about future actions — not casual speech.
Detailed Answer
An oath (yamin) in Islam is a solemn statement made while invoking Allah's name — for example, "By Allah, I will do X" or "Wallahi, I did not do Y." Breaking such an oath without a valid excuse requires kaffarah (expiation/atonement) as defined by the Quran.
The Quran specifies the kaffarah for breaking an oath in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:89): (1) Feed 10 poor people — an average meal per person, equivalent to what you feed your own family. (2) Or clothe 10 poor people — enough to cover each person in a manner appropriate for prayer. (3) Or free a slave (no longer applicable in modern times). If you cannot do any of these due to genuine financial inability, then: (4) Fast for 3 days.
Important distinctions: (1) "Laghw al-yamin" — casual, habitual oaths used in speech without intention (like saying "Wallahi" as a filler) require no kaffarah; Allah says He does not hold people accountable for such utterances. (2) "Ghamus al-yamin" — a deliberate lie sworn on Allah's name (like falsely swearing in court) is a major sin that requires sincere tawbah (repentance), not just kaffarah. (3) If keeping an oath would lead to sin, it is better to break it and pay kaffarah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If you make an oath to do something and then find something better, expiate for your oath and do the better thing."
Evidence from Quran & Hadith
فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ
Fa-kaffaratuhu it'amu 'ashara masakina min awsati ma tut'imoona ahleekum aw kiswatuhum aw tahriru raqabah. Faman lam yajid fa-siyamu thalathati ayyam.
“Its expiation is to feed ten poor persons from the average of what you feed your own families, or clothe them, or free a slave. Whoever cannot find the means — then fasting for three days.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If you make an oath to do something and then see something better than it, expiate for the oath and do that which is better."
Key Points
- ✦An oath (yamin) in Islam is a solemn statement made while invoking Allah's name — for example, "By Allah, I will do X" or "Wallahi, I did not do Y." Breaking such an oath without a valid excuse requires kaffarah (expiation/atonement) as defined by the Quran..
- ✦The Quran specifies the kaffarah for breaking an oath in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:89): (1) Feed 10 poor people — an average meal per person, equivalent to what you feed your own family.
- ✦Important distinctions: (1) "Laghw al-yamin" — casual, habitual oaths used in speech without intention (like saying "Wallahi" as a filler) require no kaffarah; Allah says He does not hold people accountable for such utterances.
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Note: This answer is based on the Quran and authentic Hadith for general guidance. For detailed rulings on your specific situation, please consult a qualified Islamic scholar. May Allah guide us all to the truth.