Expiating an oath on someone else’s behalf

Question:

Is it incumbent upon the husband who has capability to expiate the oath of his wife, if she didn’t have the capability to expiate it by feeding or clothing the needy?

Or if they both didn’t have the capability to feed or clothe but they both had strength to fast, would it be permissible for a husband to fast on her behalf if she was able to fast?

May Allah bless you.

Answer:

It’s permissible to expiate the expiation on her behalf after she acknowledges it, because the expiation is upon the one making the oath, as they are whom it is requested from.

In addition, having intention is a condition in worship, due to the statement of the Prophet ﷺ:

(إنما الأعمال بالنية)

“Verily actions are by the intention.”

As for the fasting on her behalf while she’s able then it doesn’t  suffice.

Ibn ‘Abdul-Bar, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Fasting on behalf of someone who is living; fasting on behalf of someone while they’re alive does not suffice, this is all agreed upon with no differing in it.”

Answered by:
Shaykh Abu Hatim Yusuf Al-‘Inaabi Al-Jazaa’iree – may Allah preserve him.

Source:
t.me/abouhatem/277

Answered on:
22th, Rabē’l Ākhir, 1438H

Translated by:
Abu ‘Abdirrahman ‘Abdullaah bin Ahmed Ash-Shingaani.