What is Kaffarah?
Scholar Verified
Written by: M. Hamza
Researcher: Ayesha Rahman
Reviewed by: Omar Abdullah
Last Review: 9 September 2026
Our Ramadan information is carefully examined by a qualified Islamic reviewer to help ensure that religious details, references, and guidance are presented accurately and responsibly.
In Islam, kaffarah (kafarah) translates to “expiation” or “atonement.” It is a form of penitence that one must do after committing an act of deliberately failing in some serious obligations.
Unlike regular repentence, kaffarah comes in definite forms as per the Qur’an and Sunnah, which become obligatory upon the commission of such error.
Common types of kaffarah
1. Kaffarah for deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast
If a person deliberately breaks his/her fast during the month of Ramadan without any permissible Islamic reason (such as consuming food or water or engaging in sexual intercourse during daylight hours), then his/her kaffarah becomes very strict.
These include:
- Freeing a slave (historical option, not applicable today), or
- Fasting 60 consecutive days, or
- Feeding 60 poor people (if unable to fast 60 days).
Most scholars say you must try the first option you are able to do. If you cannot fast for 60 days due to genuine inability, then you feed 60 poor people, usually by giving each one a full meal or its cash value (Fidyah).
2. Kaffarah for breaking an oath (yamin)
If you make a sincere oath in Allah’s name and then break it, kaffarah is required.
The Qur’an gives these options:
- Feed 10 poor people from the average food you give your own family, or
- Clothe 10 poor people, or
- Free a slave (historical), and if you truly cannot do any of these, then
- Fast 3 days.
You only need to do one of these, starting with feeding or clothing if you are able.
3. Kaffarah for other specific sins
Other forms of kaffarah exist for particular cases, such as the following:
Kaffarah in the case of accidental killing (manslaughter), where one must release a slave if he has one and pay diya money and fast if one is not able to do that.
Kaffarah is in case of mistakes done in Hajj or Umrah, like hunting in the state of ihram, which may include slaughtering an animal, feeding the poor, and fasting, according to the mistake committed.
Kaffarah al-Majlis (expiation of the gathering): Du'a is said at the end of a gathering asking forgiveness for the useless talk that took place in the gathering.
Kaffarah vs Fidyah vs Sadaqah
Kaffarah:
A punishment for intentionally violating a particular obligation, such as fasting, taking an oath, etc. It is obligatory and is in fixed forms.
Fidyah:
Punishment for not observing fasting due to a legitimate reason (age or illness that is expected to continue) or when a pregnant woman or breastfeeding mother is concerned about her health. Mostly a single meal or its value for each day.
Sadaqah:
Voluntary donation without having a fixed form or amount; it is not a punishment.
Ramadan Calendar 360 — Your complete guide to Ramadan, Eid, and Islamic worship. Visit us at Ramadan Calendar 360 for prayer times, Ramadan calendars, and more.