Q 3: I frequently take oaths; some of them deliberately and others unintentionally. Must I offer Kaffarah (expiation) for these oaths? Furthermore, I had an argument with my brother and swore not to enter his house until my death (Part No. 23; Page No. 195) even if one of my relatives would die in his house. I really intended never to enter his house, but I was forced by my mother to enter it, because she told me that she would be angry with me if I did not visit my brother. Also, my brother apologized to me.Now, should I offer Kaffarah for the oath I took? I did not enter my brother's house for one month after the oath I swore, but later I was forced to enter it at my mother's request. Please answer me. May Allah reward you with the best!

A: When someone takes an oath and breaks it, they have to offer Kaffarah. Unintentional oaths are pardoned, as Allah (Exalted be He) says: Allâh will not call you to account for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will call you to account for that which your hearts have earned. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Allâh will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths Your oath not to enter your brother's house does not prohibit you from visiting him and maintaining the ties of kinship with him. You have to offer Kaffarah for an oath. The Kaffarah involves feeding ten Miskins (needy persons), by giving each of them half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of the staple food, such as rice, (Part No. 23; Page No. 196) wheat, and so on; or providing them with clothing, by giving each of them a garment in which they can offer Salah (Prayer); or emancipating a believing slave. If you cannot afford any of these, you must observe Sawm (Fast) for three days; and it is preferable to fast them consecutively. Additionally, you must make Tawbah (repentance to Allah), because it is not permissible for a Muslim to declare as Haram (prohibited) that which Allah (Exalted be He) has made Halal (lawful) for them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.