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Fatwa CenterGiving the oath expiation in whichever country the expiator chooses is valid
Question
I live in Britain and want to give an oath expiation. Is it permissible for me to give it in Jordan? In case of permissibility, should I estimate it according to its value in Jordan or Britain?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Allaah The Almighty Has Explained the oath expiation in His Saying (which means): {Allaah Will not Impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He Will Impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus Does Allaah Make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.} [Quran 5:89]
Accordingly, it is due on you to feed ten needy persons, by giving each a Mudd of foodstuff; or clothe them. It is sufficient for clothing to give each a garment in which one’s prayer is considered valid. Otherwise, you should free a slave, which is now unfeasible because of the scarcity of slaves. If you could neither feed nor clothe needy persons nor free a slave, it becomes due on you to fast three days. It is more cautious to fast them consecutively in order to avoid the difference of opinions of those who make it obligatory to fast them consecutively.
It is the same whether you give the expiation in Britain or Jordan since what is due on you, as we have previously mentioned, is either feeding or clothing (ten needy persons) or freeing a slave. According to the majority of scholars, it is impermissible to give its value instead of feeding or clothing (the needy persons) or freeing a slave. But you have the right to deputize a charitable society in Britain or Jordan and give it the money to undertake the feeding or clothing on your behalf. The value of feeding or clothing depends on the average food and clothes with which you feed and clothe your family; neither the highest nor the lowest, but only the ordinary, in response to the previously mentioned Quranic Verse.
Allaah Knows best.
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