Is it permissible for someone upon whom an expiatory oath (kaffarat yamin) is incumbent, which requires feeding ten needy persons, but he does not possess sufficient means for that except with hardship, to fast three days instead of feeding them?

Expiation by fasting is not sufficient except for those who are unable to perform the three expiatory acts: feeding ten poor people, clothing them, or freeing a slave, as Allah Almighty says: "So its expiation is the feeding of ten poor people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or freeing a slave. But whoever finds not [the means to do so] - then a fast of three days. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn." So, if a person possesses enough to feed or clothe the poor, then fasting is not sufficient for him. The expiation can be paid in installments.