How to Calculate and Pay Kaffarah for Broken Oaths and Missed Fasts

Kaffarah (expiation) is the prescribed way to pay a penalty for specific religious violations within Islamic jurisprudence. You must compensate if you deliberately break a fast in Ramadan without a valid excuse, such as sudden illness or travel. It also applies if you break a formal oath made in the name of Allah. This is distinct from Fidya, which is a smaller payment intended only for those with permanent health issues or old age.

This guide explains the Islamic rulings, calculations, and how muslim digital support can help you pay this penalty.

How to Identify a Broken Oath?

A broken oath occurs when you swear by Allah to do something but violate such a promise. The requirement is to feed ten needy individuals with two meals each. 

The Quran clearly outlines the expiation for breaking a binding oath. 

“Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families, or clothing them, or the freeing of an enslaved person. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] – then a fast of three [consecutive] days [is required]. That is the penalty for your oaths when you have sworn.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:89)

These verses show that casual phrases used in common speech usually do not require this penalty. However, if a formal, intended promise is broken or not fulfilled, you are religiously obliged to pay a penalty for it. 

Kaffarah for a Broken Oath

When fulfilling this obligation, first of all, you should turn to Allah in tawbah, regret the lapse, and resolve not to repeat it.

Then you should follow the Islamic tradition, which sets out specific preferred options to pay Kaffarah in a clear order of priority. 

• The primary choice is to provide ten poor people with the same quality of food you and your family would typically eat, ensuring they receive two full meals or their monetary equivalent.
• If this is not suitable, the next priority is to provide ten needy individuals with adequate clothing to protect them and maintain their dignity. 
• While the third classical option mentioned in the Quran is to free a slave, this is considered not applicable in modern times due to the global abolition of slavery. 

Most UK Muslims opt for the feeding or clothing option. Charities set the rate based on average meal costs (typically £5 per person for two meals). Thus, you have to donate approximately £50 for each broken oath. Paying once covers one oath. If multiple oaths were broken, calculate separately for each.

Penalty for Intentionally Missed or Broken Fasts in Ramadan

Intentionally breaking a Ramadan fast (e.g., by eating, drinking, or marital relations) without a valid excuse is a major sin. The expiation is heavier, as outlined in authentic hadith and scholarly consensus.

The primary ruling comes from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in cases of deliberate violation.

• Fasting for 60 consecutive days.
• Or, if unable, feeding 60 poor people.

Moreover, sincere repentance is essential alongside this. For missed fasts with valid reasons (e.g., illness, travel), you simply make them up (qada). If permanently unable, pay Fidyah (feeding one person per day, around £5–£6 in the UK). However, you should ensure to pay your penalties through a muslim charity. It will help reach your donation to the right people and also fulfill your religious obligation.

How to Pay Kaffarah Online.

In the UK, most modern platforms, including United Muslims, offer excellent Muslim digital support, allowing you to complete your transaction in just a few clicks from any device. You can fulfil your obligation using a standard bank account transfer, a debit card payment, or modern options like crypto.

It ensures your payment is tracked and allocated to the correct food programmes without any delay.

How Your Donation Reaches the Needy?

Your donated funds for Kaffarah are used to purchase bulk food staples such as rice, flour, pulses, and cooking oil. These are then packed into nutritious parcels and delivered to families who cannot afford a single daily meal. In addition to these, cooked meals are packed and distributed to people experiencing hunger. Reputable platforms follow a 100% donation policy, using all your donations to help the needy and feed the poor. This direct approach maximises the impact of every pound you give to fulfil your religious duty.

Strengthening the Bond of Muslims

When you pay your penalty, you are helping to feed the global Ummah during its darkest hours. Your personal act of repentance becomes a lifeline for families in war zones or areas facing extreme famine. This collective effort shows the true power of the Muslim community standing together during difficult times. Therefore, search for a Muslim charity in the UK and donate to be part of a strong and united community.

Clearing Your Spiritual Debt Today

Delaying the payment of a debt is generally discouraged in Islamic tradition. Once you recognise the obligation, you should settle it as quickly as possible. 

There is no reason to carry the guilt of a broken oath or missed fast into the next month. Repentance is an open door that Allah has provided for all of us to seek His pleasure. By using digital support, you can settle your account with ease and move forward with a clean heart.