Expiation in Islam: A detailed explanation of its types and rulings

Expiation in Islam is a means of atoning for any shortcoming committed by a Muslim, whether in performing one of Allah’s acts of worship or in relation to another Muslim. It consists of deeds through which a Muslim compensates for every sin or mistake, returning to the right path in pursuit of closeness to the Almighty Creator. This reflects the vast mercy of Allah and His compassion for His servants. Allah تعالى says: “Allah will not take you to task for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the oaths you have sworn in earnest. The expiation for this is feeding ten needy people from the average of what you feed your families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. Whoever cannot find [the means] must fast three days. That is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn. And keep your oaths. Thus Allah makes clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.”

Therefore, in this article we present an overview to learn together about the types of expiation, their channels of distribution, and the difference between expiation and fidyah.

Why Expiation Is Legislated in Islam

Expiation was legislated in Islam for the following reasons:

• To correct the path of a Muslim after committing a sin, serving as compensation for mistakes through a positive act that removes the feeling of guilt.
• As an important means of drawing closer to Allah after committing a sin, strengthening faith and restoring the servant’s relationship with their Lord.
• To train the Muslim soul not to take oaths lightly and to fulfill them despite surrounding circumstances.
• To reflect Allah’s mercy and His granting of opportunities to His servants to atone for their sins.
• To nullify reprehensible acts resulting from injustice.
• To purify the soul through closeness to the Almighty Creator.

Types of Expiation

There are several types of expiation, as follows:

Expiation for Fasting

Expiation for fasting is a prescribed compensation for one who breaks the fast during Ramadan, and it depends on the reason for breaking the fast:

• Expiation related to marital intercourse during the daytime in Ramadan follows this order:
  • Freeing a believing slave.
  • If unable, fasting two consecutive months.
  • If unable, feeding sixty needy people, each with a measure (mudd) of the staple food.
• Expiation for breaking the fast due to a valid excuse such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, chronic illness, or travel:
  • Making up the days that were missed.
  • Feeding one needy person for each day missed, approximately half a saa‘ of the available staple food.

Expiation for an Oath

A Muslim must offer expiation for a broken binding oath, in the following order:

• Feeding ten needy people a complete, filling meal from the staple food of the land, such as rice or dates, equivalent to half a saa‘.
• Clothing ten needy people with sufficient garments.
• Freeing a believing slave.
• If unable to do any of the above, fasting three days, preferably consecutively.

Expiation for a Vow

The expiation for a vow is similar to the expiation for an oath and applies when one is unable to fulfill the vow:

• Feeding ten needy people satisfying meals, approximately one and a half kilograms of staple food.
• Clothing ten needy people adequately.
• Freeing a believing slave.
• If none of the above are possible, fasting three consecutive days.

Expiation for Killing by Mistake

The expiation for accidental killing is:

• Freeing a believing slave, as Allah says: “And whoever kills a believer by mistake must free a believing slave and pay blood money to the family of the deceased, unless they remit it.”
• Fasting two consecutive months if unable, as Allah says: “But if he cannot find [a slave], then fasting two consecutive months as repentance from Allah.”
• Paying the blood money to the family of the deceased unless they forgive or donate it.

Expiation for Zihār

Zihār refers to a man likening his wife to someone forbidden to him, such as saying, “You are to me like my mother’s back.” This is prohibited, and its expiation is as follows:

• Freeing a slave.
• Fasting two consecutive months if unable to free a slave.
• Feeding sixty needy people if unable to perform the previous options, each with half a saa‘ of staple food.

Expiation for Breaking the Fast

Expiation for breaking the fast applies in the following cases:

• Breaking the fast without a valid excuse:
  • Sincere repentance, regret, and seeking forgiveness.
  • Making up the day that was broken.
  • If the breaking was through intercourse, then freeing a slave, fasting two months, or feeding sixty needy people in order.
• Breaking the fast with a valid excuse:
  • Making up the missed days.
  • Feeding one needy person for each missed day.

Expiation for Shaving (During Hajj or Umrah)

This refers to shaving or shortening the hair during Hajj or Umrah without a valid excuse. The expiation is:

• Offering a sacrifice by slaughtering a sheep in the Haram.
• Feeding six needy people, each with half a saa‘ of food.
• Fasting three days instead of the previous options.

Expiation in the Qur’an and Sunnah

• Expiation in the Qur’an and Sunnah serves as compensation for sin and usually consists of freeing a slave, feeding people, or fasting. It compensates for shortcomings in acts of worship, sometimes offering a choice and sometimes requiring a specific order.
• Among the Qur’anic verses on expiation is that of oaths: “Allah will not take you to task for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will take you to task for what you have sworn in earnest…”
• Among the hadiths regarding expiation for oaths is the saying of Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him): “By Allah, if Allah wills, I do not swear an oath and then see something better than it except that I expiate for my oath and do what is better.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Paying Expiation and Its Beneficiaries

Paying expiation means fulfilling it and distributing it to the channels specified by Islamic law for each type:

• Feeding the poor and needy.
• Fasting three days.
• Freeing a slave.

The beneficiaries of expiation are:

• The poor, needy, and destitute.
• It is not given to the wealthy.
• It is not given to non-Muslims.

The Difference Between Expiation and Fidyah

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the types of expiation in Islam?

The types of expiation in Islam include expiation for oaths, zihār, breaking the fast, accidental killing, shaving, and vows.

How many expiations are mentioned in the Qur’an?

There are five expiations mentioned in the Qur’an: oaths, zihār, shaving, accidental killing, and hunting penalties.

What is the amount of expiation?

If paid in cash, it varies by country and is estimated at around $90. In food, it is a saa‘ of staple food.

What is the concept of expiation?

Expiation consists of acts prescribed by Islam to erase sin or compensate for shortcomings in acts of worship. It is a means of covering sins and drawing closer to Allah.