How to pay kafaara

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question:

Asalam-o-alikum

My question is that if someone donates money to an islamic charity with the intention of paying a kafaara will that be accepted. The person might not be sure that the money will go towards feeding 2 meals(ie total 20 meals) to specifically 10 poor people. Please keep in mind that the value of 2 meals (ie total 20 meals) for 10 people was donated.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.

It is not a condition that kaffara money be used to feed the poor. However, it is a condition that the money be given to the poor and needy themselves. [Ibn Abdidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Thus, if the charity can ensure that the above will occur, then it would be valid to give one's kaffara (expiation) to then; otherwise, not.

It may be best to consult about the specifics with a reliable scholar.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani

MMVIII © Faraz Rabbani and Qibla.
All rights reserved
No part of this article may be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of both copyright holders. For permission, please submit a request at our Helpdesk.

Now What?

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Knowledge is only through study." While some knowledge can be gained from reading or casually listening to lectures, the best means to gain knowledge is through finding a qualified teacher and then setting up a systematic program of learning. Picking up a book or reading an article and trying to figure things out on our own is no substitute for learning from someone who has a direct link to our living tradition.

Through joining an online class at Qibla, you can benefit from convenient, online courses that will give you access to reliable scholars and our popular curriculum learning tracks. Knowledge gained in these courses will both build your iman and assist you in putting into practice what you learn. Don't give yourself less than you deserve, register today.

Related Links:

  1. Why you'll love our courses
  2. How SunniPath courses work (video)
  3. What our students say
  4. Our current available courses