Is it permissible to pay the expiation for an oath (kaffarat al-yameen) to a non-Muslim, or to humanitarian or religious charitable organizations, in the event that there are no poor Muslims in the country?
The majority of scholars hold that expiation for an oath (kaffarat al-) should not be given to non-believers, similar to other obligatory charities. The Hanafis differed on this matter: Abu Hanifa and Muhammad permitted giving expiations and vows to the poor among the People of the Book (Ahl al-Dhimma), while Abu Yusuf prohibited it, stating that it is an obligatory charity that should not be given to a non-believer, just like . Therefore, according to the more correct opinion, it is not permissible to give expiation for an oath to a non-Muslim, nor to non-Muslim organizations. As for giving it to Islamic charitable organizations, it is permissible if you know that they will distribute it to needy Muslims. Your presence in a country where there are no needy Muslims does not justify giving it to non-Muslims; rather, it can be given to the needy in Muslim countries through reliable organizations or individuals.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 59118
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy