Is it permissible to hasten the expiation (kaffarah) for an oath before breaking it, if breaking the oath is forbidden?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Oaths

Book 59 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

There are two views regarding hastening the expiation before breaking a forbidden oath. One view holds that it is sufficient because the expiation is offered after its cause has been established, similar to when breaking the oath would have been permissible. The primary evidence mentioned is the Prophet's saying: "When you swear an oath, and then see that something else is better than it, then offer expiation."

Supporting text

The second view maintains that hastening the expiation is not permissible because hastening is a concession, and concessions cannot be utilized through acts of disobedience, analogous to shortening the prayer (qasr) during a journey undertaken in disobedience. Furthermore, the aforementioned Hadith did not address an act of disobedience; it specifically mentioned seeing something better than the oath taken.