The concept of ‘kaffarah’ in Islam outlines the laws of expiation and compensation for a sin. It is an Arabic word derived from the word ‘kafar,’ which means ‘to hide’ or ‘to conceal.’ It is a form of penance that serves as a means of atonement for sins. Kaffarah not only helps one free oneself of sins but also brings one closer to one’s deen and strengthens one’s resolve against sins. In light of this, this blog will delve deeper into the concept of kaffarah, the different types of kaffarah, and their rulings in the Shariah.
Kaffarah vs Fidya
The main difference between kaffarah and fidya is that fidya is paid when one is unable to fast due to valid reasons mentioned in the Quran and Hadiths. Islamic scholars agree upon these reasons. On the other hand, kaffarah is a penalty or atonement one offers or pays when they deliberately break the fast with actions such as eating. Moreover, in kaffarah, there is an element of qadaa (fulfilling or making up for missed or incomplete religious duties), but when one pays fidya, there is no element of qadaa.
How Many Types Of Kaffarahs Are There In Islam?
There are many types of kaffarah in Islam, and the common ones are as follows:
Kaffarah For Breaking A Fast During Ramadan
When a Muslim intentionally breaks their fast during the month of Ramadan, they are required to pay kaffarah. The reason kaffarah is only applicable to the fasts of Ramadan is that they are obligatory, whereas the fasts of other months are not. Another thing to remember is that kaffarah is only applicable when one breaks a fast due to invalid reasons, such as drinking water because they were thirsty, and so on. The following is the kaffarah for intentionally breaking a fast, as laid out by the Shariah:
- Freeing an enslaved person.
- Fasting for 60 consecutive days if freeing an enslaved person is not possible. If even one day is missed (i.e., the person doesn’t fast for one day due to any reason), the cycle needs to be restarted.
- Feed 60 poor people with the local staple food if neither of the options mentioned above is doable.
Kaffarah For Breaking An Oath
A kaffarah applies to every individual who breaks an oath, the only condition being that the oath was taken after they reached puberty (according to the Hanafi Fiqh). One kaffarah is mandatory for breaking one oath. Here are the ways one can offer kaffarah for breaking an oath:
- Free an enslaved person.
- Since freeing an enslaved person is not possible in this day and age, one should either feed ten poor people two times, or one should give the money to feed ten poor people for two meals, or to give clothes to ten poor people.
- If feeding the people is not possible, then one should fast for three continuous days.
- If one wants to pay the kaffarah, the amount equal to one’s sadaqah e fitr should be given to a poor person.
Kaffarah For Violation Of Hajj Restrictions
When it comes to offering kaffarah for violating certain hajj restrictions, there are different types of kaffarah. This difference in kaffarah is based on the various violations committed, such as:
Not Performing Any Ritual Of Hajj
If one neglects any rites of hajj, such as not stoning or not getting in the state of ihram from the proper site of miqaat, the kaffarah can be paid as follows:
- Slaughtering a sheep or goat or its equivalent, which is a 1/7 part in a camel or cow.
- If the above option is not possible, then one should fast a total of ten days—three days during the hajj and seven days after.
“And whoever among you is sick or has an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if you are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all.”
Note: It is essential to adhere to the proper order of expiation. One must not avoid slaughtering or performing the second required expiation, nor substitute it with an alternative, except when a person is unable to find a sacrificial animal (hady) or cannot afford its cost. In those circumstances, fasting is permitted instead.
Not Completing An Obligatory Hajj Ritual After Entering Ihram
Suppose a Muslim finds themselves in the situation where they are prevented from completing an obligatory hajj ritual, such as being wrongfully arrested. In that case, it is obligatory on the Muslim to pay kaffarah for it in the following ways:
- Slaughtering a sheep or goat or its equivalent, which is 1/7 part of a camel or cow.
- If slaughtering an animal is not possible, the Muslim must feed the poor with a value that is equivalent to either a sheep or a goat.
- If the second option is not possible, one should fast one day for each mudd [510 grams] he would have offered in the kaffarah.
Indulging And Violating The Hajj Prohibitions
If one commits a prohibited action while in the state of ihram, such as shaving hair, wearing stitched clothes, or using perfumes, it becomes obligatory to pay kaffarah. The expiation includes:
- Slaughtering a sheep or goat.
- Giving out food equal to three sa’s (7.5 kg approximately) in charity to six poor people.
- Fasting for three days.
Engaging In Sexual Intercourse
If a pilgrim engages in sexual relations with his wife before the partial release from Ihram, he nullifies his hajj, and the kaffarah is applicable and should be paid in the following ways:
- Slaughter a camel.
- If a camel is not available, slaughtering a cow is permissible.
- If a cow is not available, slaughtering seven sheep or goats is permissible.
- If the sheep and cows are also not available, the man should estimate the price of the camel and buy food equal to the price, and give it out in charity.
- If charity is also not possible, the man should fast for each morsel of food he would have given out in charity.
In addition to all this, one should complete all the rituals of hajj and then perform a makeup hajj the following year.
If a pilgrim engages in sexual intercourse after the partial release from ihram and before the full release, it doesn’t nullify the hajj, nor does that individual have to make up for it in the following year. However, they should slaughter a sheep or a goat according to the opinion of the majority of Islamic scholars.
A woman who engages in sexual relations with her husband doesn’t have to offer kaffarah. But if the woman allows her husband to engage in conjugal relations with her while she is still in the state of ihram and is aware of the prohibition, her hajj is nullified. In this case, she needs to carry on with the rites and then make it up the following year.