Al-Kaffarah

Last updated

Al-Kaffarah is a term in Islamic law meaning the expiation of sin, referred to special sanction to compensate for the offense or sin [1] when the particular for violation (evil-doing) or unintentional murder is committed. Kaffarah is paid violating some action like fasting, oath, ihram and unintentional murder and semi-unintentional murder.

Contents

Etymology

The root of Al-Kaffarah is Kafar (Arabic: کَفَرَ), means covering. [1] [2] In Quran, Kaffarah as a kind of worship is the way that Allah ignores sins and covers them. [2] [1] By language Kaffarah means "a trait that tends to the expiation or atonement of sin". [3] By Technique, it means a determined penalty that is done expiation for sin. [3] [1]

Types

Kaffarah is a special sanction to compensate for committing a sin, unintentional murder, or other offense. [4] [5] According to the Quran and Hadith, Kaffarah is classified into the following categories: [3]

Unintentional murder and semi-unintentional murder

In Islamic law, a person who committed the unintentional murder must release a slave [3] or a fast of two consecutive months [6] and pay Diya unless murder's family forgive him. [7] Kaffara is the expiated treat for crimes while blood money (Diya), as the social function is paid to the relative of the dead, the definition describes the relationship between the offender and dead. [6] [lower-alpha 1]

Fasting

Someone breaking a fast, or not following it from its inception, or having sexual intercourse with their spouse during it, without a reason accredited by Sharia [3] is required to pay Kaffarah. [4] [8] [lower-alpha 2] The first payment method is to release a slave, and if that is not possible, a person should fast for two successive months, or feed sixty poor people. [3] [9] [10]

Oaths

If someone breaks an oath, [11] [12] paying Kaffarah is necessary. [lower-alpha 3] In this case, Kaffarah could include: [13]

  1. Feeding ten poor people
  2. Dress up to them (poor people)
  3. Releasing a slave [3]
  4. Fasting three days (if the person cannot afford any of the above)

Hajj

Anyone who violates Ihram restrictions in Hajj, [14] (by having sexual intercourse, wearing a sewn dress, killing animals, etc.) must pay Kaffarah. [4] [lower-alpha 4] In this situation, Kaffarah respectively includes: [15]

  1. Three days of fasting
  2. Feeding sixty people
  3. Slaughtering a goat or even carrying out a badnah (carrying seven slaughters)
  4. Sadaqah [3]

Zihar

Zihar was a method of divorce used frequently by pagan Arabs. [16] If someone does Zihar then returns to his wife, [lower-alpha 5] [17] [18] he must pay Kaffarah. In this situation, Kaffarah includes: [19] [20]

  1. Fasting for two successive months
  2. Feeding sixty poor people [3]

See also

Notes

  1. Qur'an, 4:92..."And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to the deceased's family [is required] unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if the deceased was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise"
  2. Qur'an, 2:184..."[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew"
  3. Qur'an, 66:2..."Allah has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths. And Allah is your protector, and He is the Knowing, the Wise"
  4. Qur'an, 2:196..."And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty"
  5. Qur'an, 58:3-4..."And those who pronounce thihar from their wives and then [wish to] go back on what they said - then [there must be] the freeing of a slave before they touch one another. That is what you are admonished thereby; and Allah is Acquainted with what you do. (3) And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment"

Related Research Articles

Shirk in Islam is a sin often roughly translated as 'idolatry' or 'polytheism', but more accurately meaning 'association [with God]'. It refers to accepting other divinities or powers alongside God as associates. In contrast, Islam teaches God does not share divine attributes with anyone, as it is disallowed according to the Islamic doctrine of tawhid. The Quran, the central religious text of Islam, states in 4:48 that God will not forgive shirk if one dies without repenting from it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Baqara</span> 2nd chapter of the Quran

Al-Baqara, alternatively transliterated Al-Baqarah, is the second and longest chapter (surah) of the Quran. It consists of 286 verses (āyāt) which begin with the "muqatta'at" letters alif (ا), lām (ل), and mīm (م). Q2:282 is the longest single verse in the Quran.

Taqwa is an Islamic term for being conscious and cognizant of God, of truth, "piety, fear of God." It is often found in the Quran. Those who practice taqwa — in the words of Ibn Abbas, "believers who avoid Shirk with Allah and who work in His obedience" — are called muttaqin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">An-Nisa</span> 4th chapter of the Quran

An-Nisa' is the fourth chapter (sūrah) of the Quran, with 176 verses (āyāt). The title derives from the numerous references to women throughout the chapter, including verse 34 and verses 4:127-130.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Ma'idah</span> 5th chapter of the Quran

Al-Ma'idah is the fifth chapter of the Quran, containing 120 verses. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation, it is a Medinan chapter, which means it is believed to have been revealed in Medina rather than Mecca.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Kahf</span> 18th chapter of the Quran

Al-Kahf is the 18th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran with 110 verses (āyāt). Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation, it is an earlier Meccan surah, which means it was revealed in Mecca, instead of Medina.

Iman in Islamic theology denotes a believer's recognition of faith and deeds in the religious aspects of Islam. Its most simple definition is the belief in the six articles of faith, known as arkān al-īmān.

Al-Muʼminun is the 23rd chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an with 118 verses (āyāt). Regarding the timing and contextual background of the supposed revelation, it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed before the migration of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina (Hijra).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ya-Sin</span> 36th chapter of the Quran

Yā Sīn is the 36th chapter of the Quran. It has 83 verses (āyāt). It is regarded an earlier "Meccan surah". Some scholars maintain that verse 12 is from the Medinan period. While the surah begins in Juz' 22, most of it is in Juz' 23.

Al-Mujādilah is the 58th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an with 22 verses (ayat). Revealed in Medina, the chapter first addresses the legality of pre-Islamic method of divorce called zihar. The name "she who disputes" refers to the woman who petitioned Muhammad about the unjustness of this method, and the chapter's first verses outlaw it and prescribe how to deal with past cases of zihar. The chapter also discusses public assemblies and prescribes manners associated with it. The chapter ends by contrasting what it calls "the confederates of God" and "the confederates of Satan", and promising rewards for the former.

In Islam, fasting is the practice of abstaining, usually from food, drink, sexual activity and anything which substitutes food and drink. During the holy month of Ramadan, sawm is observed between dawn and sunset when the adhan of the Maghrib prayer is sounded. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar and fasting is a requirement for Muslims as it is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torah in Islam</span> Islamic view of the Torah

The Tawrat, also romanized as Tawrah or Taurat, is the Arabic-language name for the Torah within its context as an Islamic holy book believed by Muslims to have been given by God to the prophets and messengers amongst the Children of Israel. In the Qur'an, the word 'Tawrat' occurs eighteen times. When referring to traditions from the Tawrat, Muslims have not only identified it with the Pentateuch, but also with the other books of the Hebrew Bible as well as with Talmudic and Midrashic writings.

Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to God] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of God, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price [i.e., worldly gain]. And whoever does not judge by what God has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers.

In Twelver Shia Islam, the Ancillaries of the Faith are a set of practices that Shia Muslims have to carry out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhu al-Hijja</span> Twelfth month of the Islamic calendar

Dhu al-Hijjah is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar. Being one of the four sacred months during which war is forbidden, it is the month in which the Ḥajj (Pilgrimage) takes place as well as Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of the Sacrifice.”

Tawba is the Islamic concept of repenting to God due to performing any sins and misdeeds. It is a direct matter between a person and God, so there is no intercession. There is no original sin in Islam. It is the act of leaving what God has prohibited and returning to what he has commanded. The word denotes the act of being repentant for one's misdeeds, atoning for those misdeeds, and having a strong determination to forsake those misdeeds. If someone sins against another person, restitution is required.

Justice is a central theme in the Qur’an, dictating the traditions of law and how they should be put into practice. There are two ways in which justice operates: in a legal sense and in a divine sense. Regarding justice in the legal sense, the Qur’an tells Muslims not only how to conduct themselves, but is also highly important regarding relationships with other people. It states what the various punishments for certain crimes should be along with the justification behind this reasoning. Furthermore, the Qur’an brings across the idea that anyone who propagates the message of justice and acts accordingly will be justly rewarded with their place in jannah. With regard to divine justice, there has been a discourse between many commentators debating how justice will be fulfilled for different people, although all agree that Allah shall not do any injustice. It is debated as to how justice regarding non-Muslims functions. Although Qur'an is not direct on justice for non-Muslims but on three occasions this book clearly enunciates that the good deeds of the humans belonging to other religious backgrounds are not to be wasted before Allah., and from these verses, it can be inferred directly that Creator i.e. Allah has nothing to do with religious background but the good deeds of the actor will always be rewarded both in this world and hereafter too, enshrining the justice for all by Allah.

A famous recorded oral tradition among Muslims is about comment made by Imran ibn Husain, one of the companions of Muhammad and a Narrator of hadith. The comment was regarding the prohibition of Mut'ah, a word with several meanings. It is used in both Nikah mut'ah and Mut'ah of Hajj.

Sin is an important concept in Islamic ethics that Muslims view as being anything that goes against the commands of God or breaching the laws and norms laid down by religion. Islam teaches that sin is an act and not a state of being. It is believed that God weighs an individual's good deeds against their sins on the Day of Judgement and punishes those individuals whose evil deeds outweigh their good deeds.

Fidyah or fidya and kaffara or kaffarah are religious donations made in Islam when a fast is missed or broken. The donations can be of food, or money, and it is used to feed those in need. They are mentioned in the Qur'an. Some organizations have online fidyah and kaffara options.

Khawlah bint Tha'labahKhawla bint Tha'laba b. Asram b. Fihr b. Qays b. Tha'laba b. Ghanm b. Salm b. 'Auf was one of the female companions of Muhammad. She is mentioned in the Quran in reference to Zihar. The 58th chapter of the Quran Al-Mujadila, meaning "The pleading woman" derives the name from her reference.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Chelhod, J. (October 2010). "Kaffāra". brillonline.
  2. 1 2 Ibn Manzur. Lisan al-Arab. Vol. 5. p. 148.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Busaq, Dr. Muhammad Al-Madni (2005). perspectives on modern criminal policy & islamic sharia. King Fahd National Library Cataloging-in-publication Data. p. 166. ISBN   978-9960-9687-4-2.
  4. 1 2 3 Soufi, Denise. "FASTING". iranicaonline.
  5. Black, Esmaeili, Hosen, E. Ann, Hossein, Nadirsyah (2013-01-01). Modern Perspectives on Islamic Law. Edward Elgar Pub (February 26, 2015). ISBN   978-1782545521.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. 1 2 Brockopp, Jonathan E. (2003). Islamic Ethics of Life: Abortion, War, and Euthanasia. University of South Carolina Press (May 1, 2003). ISBN   978-1570034718.
  7. Suyuri, al-Miqdad ibn Abd Allah (2001). Kanz al-irfan fi fiqh al-Quran. Maktab Nuwayd Islam. pp. 367–369. ISBN   978-9646485822.
  8. Naser Makarem Shirazi. Tafsir Nemooneh. Vol. 5. p. 625.
  9. Al-Tusi, Muhammad ibn Hasan (2008). Concise Description of Islamic Law and Legal Opinions. Islamic College for Advanced Studie; UK ed. edition (October 1, 2008). ISBN   978-1904063292.
  10. Akhtar Rizvi, Allamah Sayyid Sa'eed (25 May 2014). "Lesson 55: Muftirat & Kaffarah".
  11. Mohsen Fayz Kashani. Tafsir Safi. Vol. 5. p. 193.
  12. Abdul Ali Aroussi Howayzi. Tafsir Noor al-Thaqalayn. Vol. 5. p. 368.
  13. Thanvi, M.Ashraf Ali (1999). Bahishti Zewar. Islamic Book Service (2010). ISBN   978-8172315603.
  14. Shaykh Tabarsi. Tafsir Javame Al-Jame. Vol. 1. p. 532.
  15. Khan, Saniyasnain (2000). Tell Me about Hajj. Goodword Books, 2000. ISBN   978-8187570004.
  16. Ph.D, Prof Drs H. Akh Minhaji, M. A. (1 November 2008). Islamic Law and Local Tradition:: A Socio-Historical Approach. Kurnia Kalam Semesta. ISBN   9789798598340 via Google Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[ permanent dead link ]
  17. Shaykh Tusi. Al-Tibbyan Fi Tafsir al-Quran. Vol. 19. p. 541.
  18. Tabatabaie, Mohammad Husayn (2004). Al-Mizan Fi Tafsir Al-Quran an abdridged version Hardcover Volume 19. Ansariyan Publications; 1st edition (2013). p. 177. ISBN   978-9642193769.
  19. MURATA, SACHIKO. "DIVORCE". iranicaonline.
  20. Dutton, Yasin (2002). The Origins of Islamic Law: The Qurʼan, the Muwaṭṭaʼ and Madinan ʻAmal. Routledge; 1 edition (September 1, 2002). ISBN   978-0700716692.