—namely, fasting two consecutive months—was it the kaffarah (expiation) for accidental killing, for ẓihār, or for intercourse in Ramadan?
If it is the expiation for accidental killing, feeding the poor is not acceptable; one must fast so long as he is able. If he cannot fast, nothing will suffice except what Allah has prescribed in His words: “It is not for a believer to kill another believer except by mistake, and whoever kills a believer by mistake must free a believing slave … but whoever cannot find one must fast two consecutive months” (al-Nisāʾ 4:92). Thus only two matters are legislated:
- Freeing a slave, if that is possible.
- If freeing a slave is not possible, fasting two consecutive months.
There is no third option in this type of expiation.
But if the expiation is for something other than killing—such as the expiation for ẓihār or for having intercourse during the daytime of Ramadan—then a third alternative is valid, namely feeding sixty needy people. Allah the Exalted says about ẓihār: “Those who pronounce ẓihār regarding their wives and then retract what they said must free a slave before the two touch one another—that is what you are admonished with, and Allah is All-Aware of what you do. Whoever does not find [a slave] must fast two consecutive months before they touch one another; and whoever is unable must feed sixty poor people” (al-Mujādilah 58:3–4). Therefore the expiation for ẓihār is set out in three stages:
First: freeing a slave, if possible.
Second: if freeing a slave is not possible, fasting two consecutive months.
Third: if fasting is not possible, feeding sixty poor people.
The same ordering applies to the expiation for intercourse during the daytime of Ramadan while one is fasting.
Consequently, we do not know which of these categories the expiation that is due from your father belongs to,