Kaffarah (Expiation) in Islam: Meaning, Types and How to Pay
Kaffarah, or expiation in Islam, is a specific act a Muslim performs to wipe out the effect of a sin or violation, such as breaking a sworn oath, deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast, or zihar. Depending on the case, it takes the form of freeing a slave, fasting, feeding the poor or clothing them. It is a mercy from Allah, who opened a door to correction and repentance in place of a harsher punishment.
In this guide we define kaffarah in language and in Islamic law, look at its evidence in the Qur'an and Sunnah, compare its main types side by side, answer common questions, and explain how you can fulfill a feeding expiation through Elvefa.
Table of Contents
What Does Kaffarah Mean?
- Linguistically: the word comes from the root kafara, meaning to cover or conceal.
- In Islamic law: what the Shariah requires of a Muslim to cover a mistake, sin or shortcoming, as an expression of remorse, a purification of the soul and a way to strengthen one's relationship with Allah.
It carries this name because it covers the wrongdoing and erases it. That makes it one of the paths of repentance, whether the shortcoming was in the rights of Allah or the rights of other people. It also builds faith: by reminding the believer of the consequences of disobeying Allah, it makes them more careful not to repeat the mistake.
Where Kaffarah Comes From: Qur'an and Sunnah
In the Qur'an
The Qur'an presents kaffarah as both a legal ruling and a divine mercy. Its purpose is to bring the believer back to guidance and help them reform themselves, which in turn builds a righteous society where people look out for one another. Among the verses that mention it:
- Allah says: "…But He will take you to account for what you have bound by oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy persons from the average of that which you feed your families… And whoever does not find [the means], then fasting three days. That is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn. And keep your oaths…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:89)
- Allah says: "And We ordained for them therein: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is retribution. But whoever gives [the right of retribution] as charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—then it is those who are the wrongdoers." (Al-Ma'idah 5:45)
- Allah says: "…or a sacrifice reaching the Ka'bah, or an expiation: feeding the needy or the equivalent of that…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:95)
In the Sunnah
In the Prophetic Sunnah, kaffarah is a fixed ruling. It consists of defined acts, such as fasting, freeing a slave or feeding the poor, and which one applies depends on the sin committed. Two narrations on oaths illustrate this:
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever swears an oath and then sees something better than it, let him make expiation for his oath and do what is better." (Narrated by Muslim – Riyadh as-Salihin 1716)
"By Allah, if Allah wills, I do not swear an oath and then see something better than it except that I make expiation for my oath and do what is better."
The Main Types of Kaffarah at a Glance
Each kind of violation has its own expiation. Here is a summary before we go into detail:
| Type | What triggers it | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Oath | Breaking a binding oath | Feed or clothe ten needy people, or free a slave; if unable, fast 3 days |
| Fasting | Deliberately violating a Ramadan fast without an excuse | Fast two consecutive months; if unable, feed 60 needy people |
| Zihar | A husband telling his wife, "You are to me like my mother's back" | Free a slave, then fast two consecutive months, then feed 60 needy people |
| Accidental killing | Taking a life without intent | Free a believing slave; if not found, fast two consecutive months; plus blood money |
| Hajj | Leaving an obligation or committing a prohibition of ihram | A sheep, feeding or fasting, depending on the violation |
Kaffarah for a broken oath
Allah prescribed this for anyone who swears to something and then goes against it. He says: "Allah will not hold you accountable for unintentional oaths, but He will hold you accountable for what you have bound by oaths. So its expiation is feeding ten needy persons from the average of that which you feed your families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:89). The person has a choice between:
- Feeding ten needy people one lunch or dinner each, which is half a sa' per person of a local staple like rice, wheat or dates.
- Clothing ten needy people with a full, adequate set of clothes.
- Freeing a slave.
Only if none of these is possible does the person move on to fasting three days. To understand how oaths differ from vows, read our article on vows and their rulings.
Kaffarah related to fasting
- Deliberately breaking the fast with no excuse: fast two consecutive months; if unable, feed sixty needy people. On the seriousness of breaking a fast without excuse, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "Whoever breaks one day of Ramadan without an excuse will not make up for it even if he fasts for a lifetime." (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
- Not fasting because of a lasting excuse such as old age: feed one needy person for each day. This is known as fidyah; see our full guide to fidyah for missed Ramadan fasts.
- Delaying make-up fasts without excuse until the next Ramadan arrives: feed one needy person for each day that was delayed.
Kaffarah in Hajj and ihram
A pilgrim owes expiation for falling short in one of the obligations of Hajj or committing a prohibited act while in ihram. Examples:
- Leaving an obligation, such as stoning the jamarat or entering ihram from the proper miqat: sacrifice a sheep and distribute it to the poor of the Haram; if that isn't possible, fast ten days, three during Hajj and seven after returning home.
- Ihsar, being prevented from completing the rites by illness or circumstances beyond one's control: sacrifice a sheep.
- Killing game while in ihram: offer a sacrifice such as a sheep, or feed each needy person half a sa', or fast a number of days according to the value of the food.
- Committing a prohibition such as wearing perfume, shaving, or wearing stitched clothing: sacrifice a sheep, feed six needy people, or fast three days.
- Intercourse before leaving ihram: sacrifice a camel; if unable, a cow or seven sheep, or feeding and fasting according to one's financial means.
Killing: intentional and accidental
- Intentional killing: one of three outcomes applies, as chosen by the victim's family: retribution (qisas), blood money (diyah) in its place, or forgiveness with nothing in return.
- Accidental killing: the expiation is freeing a believing slave, or, if none can be found, fasting two consecutive months, along with blood money set at one hundred camels or their equivalent value.
Kaffarah for zihar
Zihar is when a man says to his wife, "You are to me like my mother's back," meaning he declares her forbidden to himself. Its expiation follows a fixed order rather than a choice: free a believing slave; if he cannot, fast two consecutive months; and if he cannot do that, feed sixty needy people enough to satisfy them.
Step by Step: Fulfilling a Feeding Kaffarah
- Identify which kaffarah you owe: oath, fasting, zihar or another type.
- Check whether it is a choice or a sequence. The oath kaffarah gives you options; fasting and zihar follow an order, so you only move to feeding if you truly cannot do what comes before it.
- Count the people: ten for an oath, sixty for fasting and zihar.
- Choose eligible recipients: the poor and needy, including relatives in need whom you are not already obligated to support.
- Give it yourself or appoint a trusted organization to deliver it on your behalf.
Fulfill Your Kaffarah Through Elvefa
If you owe a feeding expiation but don't know anyone nearby who qualifies, Elvefa can deliver it for you to displaced families, refugees and people in poverty. Our field teams know these families personally. The value of feeding one person is announced each year at the start of Ramadan, and you can give through the Fidya & Kaffarah campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of kaffarah exist in Islam?
The best known are the expiations for oaths, zihar, killing, fasting, Hajj and vows, as well as for delaying make-up fasts past the next Ramadan.
Who can receive kaffarah?
The poor and the needy, including relatives in need whose support is not already your responsibility.
How is kaffarah different from fidyah?
Kaffarah is due because of a violation or sin, like breaking an oath or deliberately breaking a fast. Fidyah is due from someone with a lasting excuse who cannot fast at all.
Which oaths require kaffarah?
A binding oath, meaning one made with firm intent to do or avoid something in the future, which is then broken. Unintentional oaths that slip off the tongue carry no expiation, as the verse states.
Conclusion
Kaffarah is a door of mercy that lets a Muslim set things right with Allah after a mistake, and each violation has its own defined expiation through freeing a slave, fasting, feeding or clothing. If yours involves feeding the needy, let it reach those who need it most. Elvefa is a registered 501(c)(3), so your donation is tax-deductible. Fulfill your kaffarah with Elvefa today.
