When does the expiation for swearing by Allah Almighty become sufficient, and what is the meaning of "laghw" (unintentional oaths), "kaffarah" (expiation), "aqadtum al-ayman" (deliberately sworn oaths), and is the one who swears falsely given a choice between feeding the poor and fasting?

Allah Almighty's saying: "Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for what you intended in your oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But he who finds not [the means to do so] - then a fast of three days. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful" refers to two types of oaths:

1. Laghw (unintentional) oath: This is what slips from the tongue without intending its meaning, such as saying "No, by Allah" incidentally, or swearing about something believed to be true which then turns out to be otherwise. This type of oath requires no expiation according to the consensus of scholars.

2. Mun'aqidah (binding) or Mu'akkadah (confirmed) oath: This is swearing to do or refrain from doing something in the future with the intention of affirmation and resolve. This oath necessitates expiation if broken (hanth), and the expiation is a choice between feeding ten needy people, clothing them, or freeing a slave. If one cannot find any of these means, then he must fast for three days.

There is a third type: Ghamus (immersion) oath: This is swearing falsely about a past or present matter. It is called Ghamus because it immerses its taker in sin or in the Fire. The sin of this oath is great, and expiation does not remove its sin; rather, sincere repentance is required for it.