Feeding poor people as Kaffarah at different times

575

Q 2: If I breach my oath, should I pay Kaffarah (expiation) as a whole to the poor and the needy at the same time or not? Can I give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) to four people on a day, and six people on another day, even a month later? If I find no poor or needy people, can I give the Sadaqah to the charitable institution in our area? Can I give Sadaqah to five people, and then repeat the same five people again, so that they are considered ten people?

A: If a person breaches their oath after swearing by Allah or any of His Attributes, they have to pay Kaffarah, which is feeding or clothing ten needy people, or emancipating a believing slave. If they can afford neither of these, they will have to observe Sawm (fasting) for three days. They may (Part No. 23; Page No. 15) feed the needy people at once or on separate days. However, it is better to hasten in doing good deeds. It is impermissible to pay the Kaffarah to a charitable institution; they should distribute it themselves to make sure it reaches the ones who deserve it. It is also impermissible to give it to less than ten needy people.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.