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Does an expiatory offering (kaffarat yamin) become obligatory for someone who swore not to return to a certain matter, then made expiation and returned to it, then abstained anew?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Scholars have differed on the issue of an oath becoming void by apostasy (riddah). The Hanafis and Malikis are of the view that Islam is a condition for the validity and continuation of an oath. Consequently, an oath becomes void by apostasy, and no expiation (kaffarah) is required. In contrast, the Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold that an oath does not become void by apostasy. Rather, expiation is required for one who swore an oath, then apostatized, and then broke the oath. This expiation is paid upon their return to Islam. This latter view is the most preponderant, by analogy with vows (nadhr).

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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