Source: http://qa.muftisays.com/?11833
Question ID: #11833
 
Question: Oath

As-salāmu ʿalaykum,

I made a promise to Allah—and took it seriously—that I would no longer speak to a certain guy. Since then, I haven’t contacted him. However, I can’t remember if, when I made the oath, I specifically said “by message,” or if I simply said I wouldn’t talk to him at all, with the intention in my heart that it was only referring to messaging—because that’s the only way we actually used to communicate. I’m pretty sure I either said “by message” or meant it in that context. Now I’m wondering: if one day I happen to see him (he’s a close family friend), and he says salām to me, and I respond politely or if he talk to me physically —would that be considered breaking my oath? And if so, would I need to offer a kafāra?

 
 
Answered by: Ulamaa ID 04 (London)
Date: 06/05/2025 20:07pm

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامداومصليا

A valid oath requires one’s intention and verbal utterance with customary word usage of oaths such as, for Allah, upon me, I made a vow etc.

If there are no words of oath and intention then it will not be considered an oath. Otherwise Kaffara will need to be given.

N.B. Kaffara (expiation), which is feeding ten poor people two meals or clothe them, if this is not possible then fast for three consecutive days.

قوله عشرة مساكن أي تحقيقا أو تقديرا حتي لو أعطي مسكينا واحدا في عشرة أيام كل يوم نصف صاع جاز
(الدرالمختارمع ردالمحتار ٣/٧٦٥،سعيد)

أما الصيغة فلله وعلي ونذرت لله وأنا أفعل إن كان معلقا كان أحج إن دخلت الدار بخلاف أنا أحج منجزا
(البحرالرائق ١٠٤)

وفي الدر: الأيمان مبنية علي العرف فما تعورف الحلف فيه فيمن وما لا فلا
(إمداد الفتاوي ٢/٥٥٢)

And Allah knows best

06 Dhul Qa’dah 1446/ 04 May 2025
Mufti Qamruzzaman

London, UK
 
www.MuftiSays.com