Taking the oath of Zhihar: what should I do to expiate for it?

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Q: I am an Egyptian living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I committed a sin in a fit of anger when I said (Part No. 20; Page No. 309) to some of my friends that I would not eat with them or my wife would be unlawful to me like my mother or sister. I am married and have children. Indeed, I did not eat with my friends for three days but a dear friend came and swore I would eat with them and I did. Thus I have broken my oath, what should I do to expiate for it? Please enlighten me, may Allah reward you.

A: If by swearing you meant to prevent yourself from eating with your friends for a limited period of time which ended without you eating with them, there is no harm on you. However if you meant abstaining from ever eating with them and then you ate with them, you must make Kaffarah (expiation) for Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative). This is to manumit a believing bondsman, and if not, to fast for two successive months. If this is also not possible, you must feed 60 needy persons and perform Tawbah (repentance to Allah). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.