Is it permissible to feed dates to people with the intention of expiating an oath (kaffarat al-yamin), knowing that the one performing the expiation is a student who does not possess much money?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The expiation for an oath is clarified in verse 89 of Surat Al-Ma'idah: "feeding ten needy people from the average of what you feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. But whoever finds none - then a fast of three days." The feeding involves giving each needy person half a Sa' of the staple food of the land, or providing them with lunch and dinner from the average of what a person feeds their family. So, if dates are among the average food consumed by the people of your land, then expiating your oath with dates is sufficient for you.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 195512
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy