What Are Kaffarat (Expiations), and Are They of One Type or Multiple Types?

Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani

Question

What are Kaffarat (expiations), and are they of one type or multiple types?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.

The term Kaffara (كفارة) comes from the root meaning “to cover” or “conceal,” and it is called such because it conceals or covers the sins a person commits. There are five types of kaffarat prescribed in Sacred Law: the expiation for oaths, the expiation for shaving the head during Ihram, the expiation for unintentional killing, the expiation for zihar, and the expiation for breaking the fast in Ramadan [See: Kasani, Bada’i‘ al-Sana’i‘]

Expiation for Oaths

This applies when someone fails to fulfill what they swore to do. The expiation is outlined in the Quran:

“Allah will not call you to account for your thoughtless oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. The penalty for a broken oath is to feed ten poor people from what you normally feed your own family, or to clothe them, or to free a bondsperson. But if none of this is affordable, then you must fast three days. This is the penalty for breaking your oaths. So be mindful of your oaths. This is how Allah makes things clear to you, so perhaps you will be grateful.” [Quran, 5:89]

Expiation for Shaving the Head During Ihram

This is required when someone shaves their head while in a state of Ihram for Hajj or ‘Umra before the appropriate time, due to illness or harm. Allah (Most High) says:

“And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its destination. But if any of you is ill or has a scalp ailment (requiring shaving), then compensate either by fasting, charity, or a sacrificial offering.” [Quran, 2:196]

The person must choose one of these three options.

Expiation for Zihar

Zihar occurs when a husband likens his wife to someone who is permanently forbidden to him, like his mother. To rectify this and approach his wife again, he must perform one of three acts, in the following order: freeing a slave, fasting for two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people. Allah (Most High) says:

“Those who divorce their wives in this manner, then (wish to) retract what they said, must free a slave before they touch each other. This (penalty) is meant to deter you. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do. But if the husband cannot afford this, let him then fast two consecutive months before the couple touch each other. But if he is unable (to fast), then let him feed sixty poor people.” [Quran, 58:3-4]

Expiation for Breaking the Fast in Ramadan

This applies to someone who deliberately breaks their fast in Ramadan without a valid excuse, whether by eating, drinking, or having sexual relations. The expiation is the same as that for zihar (freeing a slave, fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people).

A hadith from Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) mentions a man who approached the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and said:

“I am ruined! I had relations with my wife during Ramadan.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Free a slave.” He replied, “I cannot afford it.” The Prophet said: “Then fast for two consecutive months.” He said, “I am unable.” The Prophet said: “Feed sixty poor people.” He replied, “I cannot afford that.” The Prophet was then brought a basket of dates and said: “Take this and give it in charity.” The man said, “Should I give it to someone poorer than us? There is no one in this city poorer than us!” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) smiled and said: “Then feed it to your own family.” [Bukhari]

Expiation for Unintentional Killing

This expiation is required when someone accidentally kills a Muslim. The options are freeing a slave or fasting for two consecutive months. Unlike zihar or breaking the fast, feeding the poor is not an option for this expiation. Allah (Most High) says:

“And if the victim is from a people bound with you in a treaty, then blood-money must be paid to the family along with freeing a believing slave. Those who are unable, let them fast two consecutive months—as a means of repentance to Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Quran, 4:92]

Summary

Islam has mandated these expiations as an act of divine mercy because they serve to cover and rectify sins. Through acts like freeing slaves, fasting, and feeding the poor, these obligations are not just a means of penance but also acts of righteousness that bring a person closer to Allah (Most High), who alone forgives and accepts good deeds.

And Allah is the Grantor of success.

[Shaykh] Bassem Itani

Shaykh Dr. Bassem Itani

Shaykh Dr. Bassem Hussayn Itani was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 2005. Among his mentors were Shaykh Muhammad Taha Sukkar, Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, Shaykh Mulla Abdul ‘Alim al-Zinki, Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa Dib al-Bugha, Shaykh Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Dr. Muhammad al-Zuhayli, and others, may Allah have mercy on them all.

Shaykh Itani has a rich background in both academic and administrative fields. He has held significant positions in many governmental and non-governmental institutions in Lebanon and abroad. This includes his role as a member of the Academic Committee at SeekersGuidance and a senior teacher with the free online global seminary.

From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Dean of the College of Da‘wa – University for Islamic Studies (Lebanon) – Postgraduate Studies. He was the Director of Dar Iqra for Islamic Sciences from 1998 to 2018. Shaykh Itani is a well-versed teacher in several academic subjects, including Fiqh, Usul, Aqida, and Tafsir. He has supervised and examined numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses at various universities and colleges in Lebanon.

His contributions to Islamic sciences are also evident in his writings and research. His notable works include “The Relied-upon Statements of Imam Zufar in the Hanafi School,” “Collective Ijtihad: The Sublimity of Thought in the 21st Century,” and “Custom and its Impact in Islamic Jurisprudence.” Shaykh Itani has actively participated in numerous scientific conferences and seminars, both in Lebanon and internationally. He is linguistically adept, excelling in Arabic, proficient in French, and comfortably conversant in English.