The phrase “paying the due price” in the context of wajib kaffarah refers to making amends for offenses through specified acts of worship, in order to gain Allah’s forgiveness and remove the sin.
When a Muslim commits certain offenses or sins, Islamic law prescribes specific acts of worship as kaffarah (atonement) to make up for the sin and regain a state of spiritual and religious balance. These acts of kaffarah can include things like fasting, giving charity, or freeing a slave, depending on the nature of the offense.
The purpose of the kaffarah is to “pay the due price” for the sin in a way that serves as atonement in the eyes of Allah. The specified acts of worship compensate for the injustice, wrongdoing or sin, allowing the Muslim to regain a clean slate and Allah’s forgiveness.
Without performing the kaffarah, the sin remains unresolved and its consequences continue. So the kaffarah acts remove the spiritual burden of the sin by “paying the due price” through worship that make amends in proportion to the offense.
This concept of “paying the due price” through worship prescribed as kaffarah highlights an important balance in Islam – yes, Allah is Merciful and Forgiving, but for His mercy and forgiveness to take effect, the Muslim must also take responsibility and take the necessary steps through acts of worship to atone for wrongs.
• Kaffarah acts are meant to proportionally balance the scale of sin and justice in the eyes of Allah. The specified acts make up for the injustice or wrongdoing through proportionate worship, allowing the scales to balance once again.
• Without performing the kaffarah acts, the sin and its consequences technically remain. So the kaffarah “pays the price” needed to wipe away the sin and regain a state of spiritual purity.
• The intention behind performing the kaffarah acts is important. Muslims must do the kaffarah solely to seek Allah’s forgiveness and pleasure, not for worldly reasons or to show off.
• The specified kaffarah acts are meant to be proportional to the offense. For example, fasting several days to make up for missed fasts in Ramadan, or freeing a slave to make up for unjustly taking a life. The “price” matches the “crime” in a sense.
• Even after performing the kaffarah, Muslims must still strive to avoid committing the same sin again. The kaffarah only wipes the slate clean for past offenses; it does not give license to repeat the sin in the future.
Here are some common kaffarah acts (wajib kaffarah) in Islam and the “price paid” for each:
For missing a fast in Ramadan without a valid excuse:
Price paid: Fasting 60 consecutive days after Ramadan, or feeding 60 poor people, or giving the equivalent in monetary charity.
For breaking an oath:
Price paid: Either freeing a slave, feeding 10 poor people two meals each, or giving the equivalent in charity to the poor.
For killing someone unintentionally:
Price paid: Freeing a slave, or fasting consecutively for two months.
For backbiting:
Price paid: Seeking forgiveness from the person backbitten and refraining from repeating the offense.
For having sexual relations during the day in Ramadan:
Price paid: Freeing a slave, fasting two consecutive months, or feeding 60 poor people.
For consuming usury (riba):
Price paid: Giving up all riba due and seeking Allah’s forgiveness.
For abandoning the obligatory prayers:
Price paid: Making up the missed prayers as soon as possible in addition to seeking Allah’s forgiveness.
So in summary, the “price paid” for wajib kaffarah acts typically involves acts of worship like fasting, feeding the poor, freeing slaves or giving charity – acts meant to proportionally compensate for the wrongdoing and regain a state of spiritual balance in the eyes of Allah.
