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Encyclopedia of Religion entry for
Expiation
. The doctrine of expiation or atonement for neglected duties, sins of omission and commission, is distinguished in the Muslim religion from the doctrine of sacrifice; sacrifices being strictly confined to the ‘Idu ‘l-Azha ‘, or Feast of Sacrifice in the month of pilgrimage. There are two words employed in the Qur’an to express the doctrine of expiation; kaffarah (1) Kaffarah occurs in the following verses: - Surah v 49: - "And therein (Ex xxi 23) have we enacted for them, ‘Life for life, an eye for an eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth, and for wounds retaliation: - Whoso shall compromise it as alms shall have therein the expiation of his sins; and whose will not judge by what God hath sent down - such are the transgressor." Surah v 91:- "God will not punish you for a mistaken word in your oaths; but he will punish you in regard to an oath taken seriously. Its expiation shall be to feed ten poor persons with such middling food as ye feed your own families with, or to clothe them; or to set free a captive. But he who cannot find means, shall fast three days. This is the expiation of your oaths when ye shall have sworn. Surah v 96: - "O believers! Kill no game while ye are on pilgrimage. Whosoever among you shall purposely kill it, shall compensate for it in domestic animals of equal value (according to the judgement of two just persons among you), to be brought as an offering to the Ka ‘bah, or in expiation thereof shall feed the poor; or as the equivalent of this shall fast that he may taste the ill consequence of his deed. God forgiveth what is past; but who ever doeth it again, God will take vengeance on him; for God is mighty and vengeance is His." (2) Fidyah occurs in the following verses: - Surah ii, 180: - "But he amongst you who is ill, or on a journey, then let him fast another number of days; and those who are fit to fast and do not, the expiation of this shall be the maintenance of a poor man. And he who of his own accord performeth a good work, shall derive good from it - if ye know it." Surah ii, 192: - "Accomplish the Pilgrimage and Visitation of the holy places in honor of God; and if ye be hemmed in by foes; send whatever offering shall be the easiest; and shave not your heads until the offering reach the place of sacrifice. But whoever among you is sick, or hath an ailment of the head, must expiate by fasting, or alms, or an offering." Surah lvii 13:- "On that day the hypocrites, both men and women, shall say to those who believe, ‘Tarry for us, that we may kindle our light at yours. ‘ It shall be said, ‘Return ye back, and seek light for yourselves. ‘ But between them shall be set a wall with a gateway, within which shall be the Mercy, and in front, without it, the Torment. They shall say to them, ‘Wore we not with you? ‘ They shall say, ‘Yes! But ye fed yourselves into temptation and ye delayed, and ye doubted, and the good things ye craved deceived you, till the doom of God arrived: - and the deceiver deceived you in regard to God. ‘ "On that day, therefore, no expiation shall be taken from you or from those who believe not: - your abode the fire! - This shall be you master! And wretched the journey thither!" (3) In theological books the term kaffaratu ‘z-zunub, "the atonement for sins," is used for the duties of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage. There is also a popular saying that ziyaratu ‘l-qubur is kuffaratu ‘z-zunub, ie the visiting of shrines of the saints is an atonement for sins. Theologians define the terms kaffarah and fidyah as expressing that expiation which is due to God, whilst diyah and qisas are that which is due to man. [FINES, SACRIFICES.] For that expiation which is made by freeing a slave, the word tahrir is used, a word which implies setting a slave free for God ‘s sake, although the word does not in any sense mean a ransom or atonement for sin. It occurs in the Qur’an, Surah iv 94, "Whosoever kills a believer by mistake let him FREE a believing neck" (ie a Muslim slave). 
from kafr, "to hide"; and fidyeh 
, from fida ‘, "to exchange, or ransom."
citations: Dictionary of Islam, Hughes
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12
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