How Much Is Kaffarah For Breaking Fast?

How much is kaffarah for breaking fast

How Much is Kaffarah for Breaking Fast?

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the most sacred acts of worship, a command from Allah that nurtures patience, self-discipline, and closeness to Him. However, breaking a fast without a valid reason is a serious matter in Islam and requires kaffara (expiation) alongside qada (making up the missed fast). Understanding the rulings on kaffarah is essential to fulfilling one’s religious obligations correctly. In this article, we will explore how much kaffara is required for breaking a fast, as per the Hanafi school of thought, and the methods of fulfilling it according to authentic Islamic sources.

What is Kaffara?

Kaffara is an expiation prescribed for serious violations of fasting, specifically when someone intentionally breaks their fast during Ramadan by eating, drinking, or engaging in marital relations without a valid excuse. This ruling applies when the fast was started with the correct intention and then deliberately nullified.

Who Needs to Pay Kaffarah?

According to Hanafi scholars, kaffara is only required when a person intentionally breaks their fast without a valid excuse. If someone breaks their fast due to illness, menstruation, or any other legitimate reason, they only need to make up the missed fast (qada) and are not liable for kaffara.

Understanding with example

Let’s consider the case of Ahmed, a 30-year-old man who observes fasting during Ramadan. One afternoon, he feels extremely hungry and, despite knowing the importance of fasting, gives in to his desire and eats a full meal. Immediately after finishing, he regrets his action and realizes the gravity of his mistake.

Ahmed consults a local scholar, who informs him that since he broke his fast intentionally without a valid excuse, he must fulfill both qada and kaffarah. The scholar explains that his kaffarah requires either fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people. Ahmed decides to attempt the 60-day fast but misses a day due to forgetfulness. He is informed that he must restart from the beginning. Eventually, realizing his difficulty in maintaining the consecutive fasts, he chooses the second option and donates food for 60 poor individuals, ensuring that the expiation is fulfilled according to Islamic guidelines.

This scenario highlights how one must take responsibility for intentionally breaking a fast and the available options for atonement.

How is Kaffara for Women?

The rules of kaffarah apply equally to both men and women. However, there are specific considerations for women in certain situations. If a woman deliberately breaks her fast without a valid excuse, she must fulfill kaffarah just like a man—either by fasting 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people. However, if a woman begins her kaffarah fast and then experiences menstruation, she must pause the fast during her period and resume once she becomes pure. The continuity of 60 days remains intact in such cases, as menstruation is a natural and unavoidable interruption. Apart from this, the conditions and requirements of kaffarah remain the same for both genders.

How Much is Kaffarah for Breaking Fast?

In Hanafi Fiqh, the prescribed kaffarah for deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast is:

1. Fasting for 60 consecutive days – This is the first and preferred method of expiation. If a person starts the 60-day fast but misses even one day without a valid excuse, they must restart from the beginning.
2. Feeding 60 Poor People – If one is physically unable to fast for 60 days due to health reasons, they must feed 60 poor individuals two meals each (or give the equivalent in food).
3. Providing the Cost of Meals – If direct feeding is difficult, the person can provide the monetary equivalent of two meals per person, ensuring it meets the average daily food expense in their region.

Monetary Equivalent of Kaffara

The amount varies based on food prices and living standards. The Hanafi school generally bases this calculation on sadaqah al-fitr (the charity given at Eid). The estimated cost for feeding one person is approximately the price of 1.5 kg of wheat or its equivalent.

To calculate for 60 people, one can multiply this cost by 60. Since food prices fluctuate, it’s best to consult a local scholar or Islamic charity for the most accurate amount.

Kaffara vs. Fidya: Understanding the Difference

• Kaffara is a penalty for deliberately breaking a fast.
• Fidya is a compensation for those unable to fast due to chronic illness or old age, requiring them to feed a poor person for each missed fast instead of fasting themselves.

The Seriousness of Breaking a Fast

Breaking a fast intentionally is a serious matter in Islam, and kaffara is a way to atone for this mistake. If you have broken a fast, it is essential to sincerely repent and fulfill the necessary expiation.

May Allah guide us in honoring our obligations and grant us steadfastness in worship. If you need assistance in calculating kaffara, consult your local masjid or a knowledgeable scholar to ensure you fulfill this obligation correctly.

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