No, generally kids do not pay kaffarah.
Understanding Kaffarah and its Obligations
Kaffarah is a religious obligation, often involving a form of expiation for breaking certain Islamic rules, such as intentionally missing fasts during Ramadan. It's essential to understand the context of when kaffarah becomes applicable.
When Kaffarah is Obligated
- Adults who intentionally miss fasts: According to the reference, “Anybody who did not fast (minus pre-pubescent children) must pay either a Fidya or Kafarrah, depending on the circumstances and context behind their non-fast.” This indicates that kaffarah is a responsibility for those who were obligated to fast in the first place.
- Mature and Responsible Individuals: Kaffarah is typically associated with individuals who are considered mature and responsible for their actions under Islamic law.
Why Children are Exempt
- Lack of Maturity: Children, particularly those before puberty, are generally not held to the same level of religious accountability as adults.
- Not Obligated to Fast: Pre-pubescent children are not obligated to fast during Ramadan, so the need to pay kaffarah for missing fasts does not apply to them.
- Exemption from Obligations: Religious obligations like fasting and kaffarah are generally binding upon those who are considered to be of sound mind and have reached puberty.
Fidya vs. Kaffarah
It is important to distinguish between Fidya and Kaffarah, although they are related. Both are types of expiation, however, they are obligated under different circumstances for missing fasts.
| Obligation | Description | Applicable to Children? |
|---|---|---|
| Fidya | Compensation usually given when one is unable to fast due to illness or age. | No |
| Kaffarah | Expiation typically given when one deliberately misses a fast without a valid reason | No |
As indicated in the provided reference, the obligation to pay either Fidya or Kaffarah applies to "anybody who did not fast (minus pre-pubescent children)." This clearly shows that children who haven't reached puberty are excluded from the obligation of paying Kaffarah.
Conclusion
Pre-pubescent children are exempt from the obligation to pay kaffarah for missed fasts. The responsibility to fulfil religious obligations like kaffarah rests primarily on mature adults.
