Can a 13-Year-Old Fast for Oath Expiation or Feed the Poor?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
If I broke an oath at 13 while dependent on my parents, can I fast three days as expiation?
If yes, am I required to use the gifted Eid money to feed ten needy people instead?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
If you broke an oath at the age of 13 and you reached puberty (bulugh), then you are required to give an expiation. If you did not reach puberty, you are not obligated to do so. If you choose to feed the needy, you can use your Eid money to feed those in need. Since you are a dependent, you may choose to fast instead of feeding the poor.
Expiation (Kaffara)
Perform the expiation of an oath, which is either:
- Feeding ten poor people
- Clothing ten poor people.
- If you cannot feed or clothe them, fasting for three consecutive days will cover it.
Feeding the ten poor people would involve two satiating meals on one day or feeding one poor person for ten days. An alternative is to give them/him the monetary equivalent of the food instead. The amount payable is the value of 2.6 kg of wheat flour or 5.2 kg of dates. [Maydani, al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]
This amount was roughly the same in the past, but with wheat flour being much cheaper today, it would be superior to give the value of the dates, although the former is valid nonetheless.
Clothing them is with a normal set of clothes of medium quality, or it’s monetary value.
Remain in Good Company
Continue staying in good company, remember that Allah Most High will find you a way out, as He said in the Quran,
“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide for him from sources he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allah has set a measure for all things.” [Quran, 65:2-3]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
Related
- What Is the Expiation (Kaffara) of Breaking an Oath? – SeekersGuidance
- Oaths Archives – SeekersGuidance
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
