The Meaning of Allah the Exalted’s Saying: “And keep your oaths”

Question:
In the verse, there is also the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And keep your oaths.” Have you explained the meaning and directed people to the preservation of oaths in light of it?

Answer:
The scholars have two opinions on this. The first opinion is that the meaning of Allah the Exalted’s saying “And keep your oaths” is: do not swear. Yes. A person should not swear often; rather, he should only swear when there is a need, and he must be truthful in his oath, out of respect for the oath. This is because Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says: . Al-Halaf means one who swears often. So if a person swears often, that is evidence of his taking them lightly. But if he reduces his oaths, that is evidence of his honoring them. Thus, the meaning of Allah the Exalted’s saying “And keep your oaths” is: do not swear often, but preserve them, and do not swear except when there is a need, and be upright in your oaths. The second opinion is that “And keep your oaths” means: expiate for them. On this opinion, preserving oaths means paying the expiation for them. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh,