Is it permissible to alternate between feeding ten needy persons and fasting for multiple oaths, while delaying the fasting until feeding becomes available?
Expiation for an oath (kaffarat al-yameen) involves an option and a sequence. The one who breaks the oath has the choice of feeding ten needy people (half a sa' for each) or clothing them, or freeing a slave. If none of these are available, then he must fast for three days.
The preponderant opinion is that expiation for an oath is immediately obligatory. The responsible person should therefore give what he can from it without delay.
It is permissible to delay expiation for an oath for a legitimate reason, such as awaiting money or seeking out the neediest people. There is no harm in prioritizing fasting over feeding and clothing if there is an excuse for delaying the latter.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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