Oaths and Their Expiation — Feeding, Clothing, or Freeing
fiqh
Level: intermediate
ibadat
fqh-071
فَكَفَّٰرَتُهُۥٓ إِطۡعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَٰكِينَ مِنۡ أَوۡسَطِ مَا تُطۡعِمُونَ أَهۡلِيكُمۡ أَوۡ كِسۡوَتُهُمۡ أَوۡ تَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ
— المائدة 89
Verse: "Allah does not hold you accountable for the unintentional in your oaths, but for what you have bound intentionally — its expiation is feeding ten needy persons from the average of what you feed your families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave." (5:89)
Types of oaths: (1) Idle oath (laghu): unintentional — no expiation. (2) Binding oath (mun'aqida): intentional — expiation required if broken. (3) Vile oath (ghamus): deliberate lie — major sin requiring repentance only.
Expiation (choice among three): Feed ten poor persons, or clothe them, or free a slave. Unable to do any: fast three days.
Source: Ahkam Al-Quran by Ibn Al-Arabi (2/193); Al-Qurtubi (6/271); Al-Mughni (9/488)
Question: What is the difference between idle and binding oaths? What is oath expiation?
Answer: Idle oath: unintentional — no expiation. Binding oath: intentional — expiation if broken: feed or clothe ten needy persons or free a slave; if unable: fast three days.