Q&A Home » Oaths and Vows

Not fulfilling vows or oaths

Last updated: 30th August 2022
Question ID: #7446
Short URL:
Printer Friendly Version Email this page


 
I am in my early 20s. Since around 15/16 I became reckless and careless by making many vows / oaths that are either too difficult to fulfill. But I really want to fulfill them. The money I have vowed or made an oath to give to charity has accumulated past what I have (and that is from savings and inheritance.) The salaah I have vowed or made an oath to give to charity has been too difficult. If I would commit a sin I would say something like - 'Oh ALLAH SWT if I do this again I would pray 20 rakaats of Tawbah salaah till I turn 25(example). and every time I would sin I would increase if from 25 to 26. And the years would gradually increase. I would also make vows that if I commit a sin I would give a certain amount of money in charity. The thing is I have forgotten so many of the vows / oaths that I have said (although I do have a vague idea of some and I do want to fulfill them still. In terms of the vows/oaths for giving money to charity, the amount of money that accumulated runs in the tens of thousands and I only recently recieved a temporary job after being unemployed for so long. I do have some savings - so should I give all of it into charity. (If the money that I vowed / made an oath to give is less than my savings should I give all of it? What if my savings are less? I am prepared to give all of it but I don't know if I should because giving some to my mother would be helpful.) Should I give a portion from my salaries in the future for this cause? If I do give charity due to vows and oaths can I also give it with intention of sadaqah for my prophet and parents and the ummah. Also, in terms of the salaah - I used to strive daily to complete the twenty rakaats and I also found myself fortunate that I am offering an extra twenty rakaats. However this proved to be too difficult. So I cut down to ten rakaats. However, now I don't do any! I have been reckless and careless with my tongue of spitting out too many vows and oaths and I really want to fulfill them. However, at present it is hard because I don't have the money for it or it is hard to do twenty rakaats every day for ten years. I have made oaths that if I get good grades I will give a certain amount for each grade. And I have made similar oaths such as I would give 10 pounds of my salary (when I get a job) every month for the rest of my life. The thing is, I have made too many vows and oaths and I can only vaguely remember them and I am sure I have forgotten many. I really want to fulfill all of them. What should I do?



بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامداومصليا

The general principle is for every oath is a Kaffara. However, due to not remembering how many oaths you uttered and the difficulties of fulfilling Kaffara for all of them. In Shari’ah it will suffice to do one Kaffara for the several oaths you uttered.

وتتعدد الكفارة لتعدد اليمين والمجلس والمجالس سواء….
وفي البغية كفارات الأيمان إذا كثرت تداخلت
ويخرج بالكفارة الواحدة عن عهدة الجميع
وقال شهاب الآئمة هذا قول محمد وقال صاحب الأصل وهوالمختار عندي
(درالمختارمع ردالمحتار ٣/٧١٤)

And Allah knows best .

07 Rabiul Thani 1444/ 02 November 2022

Mufti
Answer last updated on:
2nd November 2022
Answered by:
Ulamaa ID 04
Website
Location: London