Kaffarah Calculator – Calculate Expiation for Broken Fasts

In Islam, fasting is one of the most sacred acts of worship a direct connection between you and Allah (SWT). However, if a person deliberately breaks a fast during Ramadan without a valid reason, it becomes a serious matter that requires Kaffarah, or expiation.

At Digital Calculator, we provide clarity, simplicity, and accuracy in fulfilling this important obligation. Our Kaffarah Calculator helps you determine the correct compensation for intentionally breaking a fast, according to authentic Islamic guidance.

What Is Kaffarah?

Kaffarah (كفّارة) means expiation — a prescribed act of atonement for a major violation of religious duty. It serves as a way to purify oneself from sin and renew spiritual discipline.

In the context of fasting, Kaffarah becomes obligatory when a Muslim deliberately invalidates a fast during Ramadan through actions such as:

• Eating or drinking intentionally
• Engaging in sexual relations during fasting hours
• Purposefully breaking the fast without a valid excuse

It is not just a repayment for the missed fast — it’s an atonement for the deliberate act of disobedience.

Quranic Foundation

The obligation for expiation originates from the Sunnah and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

In an authentic narration (Sahih Bukhari, 1936), a man came to the Prophet ﷺ saying he had broken his fast by having relations with his wife during Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ told him:

“Free a slave.”
He said, “I cannot.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Then fast for two consecutive months.”
He said, “I cannot.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Then feed sixty poor people.”

From this hadith, scholars have established the order of Kaffarah as follows.

The Three Steps of Kaffarah (in Order)

When a person deliberately breaks a fast during Ramadan, they must perform one of the following — in order of priority:

1. Free a Slave

In early Islamic times, the first option was to free a believing slave as an act of atonement and compassion.
Since slavery no longer exists, this step rarely applies today.

2. Fast for 60 Consecutive Days

If freeing a slave is not possible, the person must fast for 60 continuous days (two lunar months).

This is the most common form of Kaffarah today and must be done without interruption — unless there is a valid reason such as illness or menstruation.

If the fast is broken intentionally during these 60 days, the person must start again from day one.

3. Feed 60 Poor People

If fasting for 60 days is not possible due to permanent illness, old age, or extreme hardship, then the final option is to feed 60 poor people — one meal each, or the equivalent value in food or money.

This is known as Kaffarah al-It‘ām (feeding as expiation).

Kaffarah Calculation Formula

To calculate the Kaffarah in food or money, use this simple formula:

Kaffarah = Number of Poor People × Cost of Two Meals per Person

Since you must feed 60 people, it becomes:

Kaffarah = 60 × (Cost of Two Meals)

Where:

• Cost of Two Meals = local cost of feeding one person twice (or two people once)

Step-by-Step Example

Let’s walk through an example for clarity.

Example:
Ali intentionally broke one fast during Ramadan. The average meal cost in his area is $6 per person per meal.

Step 1: Calculate cost per person for two meals:

$6 × 2 = $12

Step 2: Multiply by 60 people:

$12 × 60 = $720

 Ali’s Kaffarah = $720

If Ali cannot fast for 60 days and decides to pay in food value, he must feed 60 people or give the equivalent of $720 in meals or food supplies.

Table: Example Kaffarah Calculations

(Values are approximate — use our Kaffarah Calculator for accurate local amounts.)

Important Rules for Kaffarah

To ensure your expiation is valid, follow these essential guidelines:

1. Intentional Violation Only

Kaffarah is only required for fasts broken deliberately without valid reason — such as eating, drinking, or intimacy during fasting hours.
If a fast breaks accidentally (e.g., eating by mistake or vomiting unintentionally), only Qada (make-up fasting) is required, not Kaffarah.

2. Must Be Consecutive

The 60 days of fasting must be continuous.
If interrupted without excuse, the count restarts from day one.

3. One Kaffarah per Violation

If someone breaks multiple fasts intentionally on different days, scholars differ — but the safest opinion is that each violation requires a separate Kaffarah.

4. Feeding Option

If fasting is impossible (due to health, age, or inability), the person must feed 60 poor people instead of fasting.

5. Valid Recipients

The poor or needy (fuqara’ and masakin) eligible to receive Zakat are also eligible for Kaffarah.

Fidyah vs. Kaffarah: What’s the Difference?

Although both involve feeding the poor, Fidyah and Kaffarah differ in purpose and conditions:

Why Use Digital Calculator’s Kaffarah Tool?

At Digital Calculator, we combine authentic Islamic rulings with modern simplicity.
Our Kaffarah Calculator helps you:

Determine whether Kaffarah applies to your situation
Instantly calculate your total payment value
Get region-based meal cost estimates
Understand the difference between Qada, Fidyah, and Kaffarah
Fulfill your obligation accurately and confidently

No confusion. No guesswork. Just the correct amount — every time.

Step Forward with Faith and Clarity

Kaffarah is not just about paying compensation — it’s about repentance, discipline, and reconnection with Allah.
It is a mercy from Him that allows us to cleanse mistakes and restore our devotion.

With Digital Calculator’s Kaffarah Calculator, you can fulfill your expiation correctly and ensure your repentance is complete.