What is the expiation for swearing to repair a car after its owner has been forgiven, and is fasting sufficient without feeding, and what are the conditions for feeding the needy?

The questioner should offer expiation for his oath as a precautionary measure if the car was not repaired. Fasting is not sufficient for the expiation of an oath except for one who is unable to feed, clothe, or free a slave; in such a case, he must fast for three days. The expiation must be given to the deserving poor and needy, and one's obligation is not discharged by giving it to those who are not deserving.

If one gives the expiation to someone he believed to be poor, and then it becomes clear that he was rich, it is still sufficient according to the sounder opinion. This is because poverty is a hidden matter, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave to a man whom he thought was poor. This is the view held by Imam Ahmad and Abu Hanifa.

It is not sufficient to give the expiation to fewer than ten needy persons, based on the Almighty’s saying: ﴿So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people﴾ (Al-Ma'idah: 89).