Vows in Matters That Are Obligatory by Sacred Law
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Fatwa No. ( 20034 )
Q: Is making a vow regarding matters that are obligatory by sacred law, as a means of affirming one’s resolve and maintaining them, permissible by sacred law? Is it a religious innovation or not? For example, if a person says: “I pledge to Allah that I will pray the witr prayer in the last third of the night,” and this is as a means of maintaining the Fajr prayer in congregation, with the intention of affirming one’s resolve, and all of this is to maintain the Fajr prayer in its proper time.
A: Vowing is not prescribed because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited it; as narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar who said:Sahih al-Bukhari 6693 It is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim, and this is the wording of al-Bukhari . Every Muslim man and woman should avoid making vows and should not bind themselves to something they may be unable to fulfill or find difficult, thereby falling into sin and hardship. However, if a Muslim vows to do what is already obligatory by the original sacred law, this contradicts the essence of a vow; for the essence of a vow is for a responsible, free person to bind themselves to Allah the Exalted to do something that was not obligatory upon them before the vow. Therefore, the vow-maker binding themselves to do what is already obligatory by sacred law, and using the vow as a means to encourage themselves to do it, is contrary to the original principle and has no evidence for it; for what is obligatory by sacred law must be fulfilled by the person out of obedience to Allah, by performing the obligatory acts and leaving the prohibited and forbidden things from the outset, as Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) have legislated. And he may avail himself of the dispensations of the sacred law that Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) have legislated, and this is part of the foundation of a Muslim’s faith. As for what you vowed regarding the witr prayer in the last third of the night, the correct of the two opinions of the scholars is that the witr prayer is not obligatory but rather a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah). This is a vow of charity and an act of drawing near to Allah, and you must fulfill it; due to the saying of Allah the Exalted in praising His righteous servants: [Al-Insan 76:7], and because it is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Sahih al-Bukhari 6696 The hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari . And you must do the things that help you wake up at this time to fulfill your vow and clear your conscience. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q: Is making a vow regarding matters that are obligatory by sacred law, as a means of affirming one’s resolve and maintaining them, permissible by sacred law? Is it a religious innovation or not? For example, if a person says: “I pledge to Allah that I will pray the witr prayer in the last third of the night,” and this is as a means of maintaining the Fajr prayer in congregation, with the intention of affirming one’s resolve, and all of this is to maintain the Fajr prayer in its proper time.
A: Vowing is not prescribed because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited it; as narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar who said:
The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade the making of vows and said, "It (a vow) does not prevent anything (that has to take place), but the property of a miser is spent (taken out) with it."
نهى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عن النذر وقال: إنه لا يرد شيئًا، ولكنه يستخرج به من البخيلThey [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread.
يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيرًاWhoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, should remain obedient to Him
من نذر أن يطيع الله فليطعه
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.