Should I Perform an Expiation After Breaking an Agreement?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

During the registration process of our college, I signed an agreement saying that I will complete atleast 75 percent attendance. I tried, but now it’s getting really hard for me to fulfill this. I don’t even know if my attendance would reach 75 percent even if I attended all the remaing days.

Would it be alright if I break this contract? If yes, would there be any kaffara?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

There is no expiation (kaffara) except in cases where a person makes an oath to do something.

If you’ve tried to uphold this promise, but fallen short, this is excusable. Similarly, if you have an excuse for being unable to attend, this would also be admissible.

And Allah Most High knows best.

wassalam,

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.