KAFFAARAH
AND FIDYAH
KAFFAARAH (Expiation for breaking a fast) AND
FIDYAH (Ransom for the
inability to fast)
Kaffaarah (Expiation)
1. Before we had mentioned the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah in relation to the man
who intentionally had sexual intercourse during the day time of Ramadaan.
In that hadeeth it is established that he had to do make up for the day and
also that he had to do Kaffarah (expiation). The expiation in this hadeeth is as
follows:
i) freeing of a slave;
ii) if he did not find, then he must fast two consecutive months and
iii) if he is not able, then he must feed sixty miskeen (poor people)
It is also said the kaffarah (expiation) for intentional sexual intercourse
during the daytime of Ramadaan is a matter of choice from among the three things
mentioned above.
However, most of the scholars agree that the expiation in this case has a
specific sequence and if the first is not met then the person moves to the
second choice and so on. This latter opinion seems to be the more authentic of
the two.
2. Whoever has to do Kaffaarah (expiation) and is not able to do any of the
things prescribed by the hadeeth i.e. if he is not able to free a slave, nor
fast two consecutive months, nor can he feed sixty miskeen (poor people), then
he is not accountable because he does not have the ability to do any. The
principle that applies here is that there is no responsibility except with
ability, as Allah (T) said:
{Allah does not burden a person more than he can bear] [Al - Baqarah 2:283]
The principle is also established in the same hadeeth of the Messenger (S)
when the man told him that he does not have the ability for any of the things the
Messenger (S) told him to do.
3. The Kaffaarah (expiation) is not obligatory on the woman because the
situation arose between a man and his wife and the Messenger (S) only made one
Kaffaarah (expiation) necessary. And Allah know best.
Al-Fidyah (Ransom)
1. The ruling for the pregnant and the breast-feeding women is the same if
either of them are fearful for themselves or for their baby, then they can break
the fast and feed for each day that they do not fast one (miskeen) poor person.
Ibn 'Abbass ( R ) narrated: When this verse {...and whoever among you witness
this month then let them fast it ...} was revealed, then the old men and old
women, who did not the ability to fast, the pregnant or breastfeeding women if
they were fearful for themselves or the child, could eat in Ramadaan and feed
one poor person for every day missed.
2. The old men and women who are not able to fast can also eat during
Ramadaan and feed one poor person for every day missed.
