The ruling on one who makes a covenant with Allah or vows not to do something, then does it

The questioner:
Umm Khalid from Bahrain, from her questions, Your Eminence the Shaykh, she says that she made a covenant with Allah not to do a certain thing, but after several months she weakened and did it once. After that, she regretted it greatly and repented to Allah. Will Allah accept her repentance?

The Shaykh:
Yes, repentance is sufficient, and praise be to Allah. Whoever repents, Allah accepts his repentance, and praise be to Allah.

The presenter:
T.

The questioner:
Your Eminence the Shaykh! Perhaps you have some guidance for those who frequently make vows and covenants. Perhaps you have some guidance?

The Shaykh:
And all his brothers should be cautious regarding vows and covenants. Leave this alone. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Do not make vows" . Likewise, covenants—covenanting with Allah to do such and such—leave this alone. A person resolves to do good and strives for good without oaths or covenants. But if the need arises for an oath to verify or to emphasize, there is no harm. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would swear to emphasize, such as when he said to Ali, "By Allah, it is better for you that Allah guides one of your people than that you carry the camels." So if he swears to emphasize and encourage, there is no harm. As for vows, no, it is not recommended to make a vow; he should refrain from making vows. But if he vows to obey, he is obligated to fulfill it, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey him" . He gives charity of such and such, or prays two rak'ahs, or fasts such and such, fulfilling it on Monday, or fasting on Thursday, or three days of every month, fulfilling his vow. Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey him. But my advice to my brothers is not to make vows, because many people make vows and then regret them. So the advice is not to make vows. A person does good and strives in good without a vow. Likewise, covenants with Allah—covenanting with Allah to do such and such—he should refrain from this. Yes. May Allah reward you.