Is it permissible for a person who began an expiation with a lower option to switch to a higher option (such as switching from fasting to manumission) if they become able to perform the higher option?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
It is permissible to transition to a higher form of expiation, according to the opinion of the majority of scholars, and there is no known disagreement on this point, with the exception concerning a slave who breaks an oath (hanith) and then becomes freed before expiating.
Supporting text
Abu Al-Khattab held that transitioning is not permissible in this specific instance, relying on the statement of Al-Kharqi which implies that if a slave breaks an oath and does not expiate until he is freed, the expiation remains limited based on his status as a slave, which is seen as the apparent position of Ahmad. The counter-argument is that manumission and feeding are the original foundations, and fulfilling the obligation through them is valid, just as it is valid for a poor person who borrows money to free a slave.