Kaffarah

Kaffarah for breaking a fast requires feeding 60 people, while breaking an oath requires feeding 10 needy people.

£180 feeds 60 people in need for each fast (£3 a person)
For a broken oath, see the oath calculator below
100% donation policy: every penny reaches the people you feed

Kaffarah for a broken oath

Oaths are only valid if they are taken in Allah's name. It is not permissible to take an oath with anyone other than Allah.

By giving each person half a saa' of the usual local staple, such as rice, he is able to feed ten poor people with the same food that he feeds his family. This equates to about 1.5 kilogrammes. If rice is usually served with a sauce, he should serve them some sauce or meat in addition to the rice. It is sufficient if he gathers ten poor people and serves them lunch or dinner.

At a cost of £3 per person, Global Helping Hands can do this on your behalf. It will cost £30 to feed ten people.

£30 feeds 10 people in need for each broken oath

What is Kaffarah

Making amends by feeding people in need

Kaffarah is a general term that literally translates to “what is paid to redress an imbalance or to compensate for commissioning a sinful act” in Arabic.

Kaffarah for a broken fast is £180, covering meals for 60 needy people. Kaffarah for a broken oath is £30, feeding ten people in need. Global Helping Hands provides the meals on your behalf.

Children waiting with pots for a hot meal from Global Helping Hands in Palestine

Two kinds of Kaffarah

Before you donate Kaffarah, check which one you are paying: for breaking a fast, or for breaking an oath (Kaffarat Yameen).

A broken fast Fast for 60 consecutive days. If fasting is not possible, feed 60 needy people for each fast: £180. Work out your Kaffarah
A broken oath (Kaffarat Yameen) Feed or clothe 10 poor people. If none of these is possible, fast for three consecutive days. Feeding 10 people is £30. Work out your Kaffarah

فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ

“So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families.”

Al-Ma’idah 5:89

Pay your Kaffarah

How your Kaffarah reaches people in need

Work out your Kaffarah

Use the calculators on this page: £180 for each fast, £30 for each broken oath.
Pay securely

Your Kaffarah goes into your basket as one donation, and you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
We provide the meals

You delegate your Kaffarah to Global Helping Hands, and we make sure it reaches the needy in the correct form.

Questions about Kaffarah

What is Kaffarah for breaking a fast?

Kaffarah is a penalty for deliberately breaking a fast during Ramadan without a valid reason. It requires fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 needy people if fasting is not possible.

Who must pay Kaffarah?

Any adult Muslim who intentionally breaks their fast during Ramadan without a valid excuse, such as illness or travel, is required to pay Kaffarah.

Can Kaffarah be paid in cash instead of food?

Generally, Kaffarah should be paid by providing food, not cash. However, in some cases, local scholars may permit cash if it better serves the needy, but this is not the preferred method.

What happens if I cannot fast 60 days consecutively?

If you are unable to fast for 60 consecutive days due to illness or other reasons, you must feed 60 needy people as an alternative Kaffarah.

What is Kaffarat Yameen?

Kaffarat Yameen is the expiation required for breaking an oath. It involves feeding 10 poor people, clothing them, or freeing a slave. If none of these is possible, fasting for three consecutive days is required.

Can I pay Kaffarat Yameen in cash?

Kaffarat Yameen should be fulfilled by providing food or clothing directly. Cash payments are generally not accepted unless necessary and guided by a scholar.

Can I delegate my Kaffarat Yameen to a charity?

Yes, you can delegate your Kaffarat Yameen to a reputable charity that will ensure the expiation reaches the needy in the correct form (food or clothing).

How much food should be given for Kaffarat Yameen?

You should provide the average amount of food that you would typically eat, equivalent to about 1.5 kilograms of staple food like rice, for each of the 10 people.