Breaking a promise to one's mother by speaking to certain people

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. A man promised his mother that he would not speak to certain people, and his intention was not to speak to them except for one. What is the ruling in this case if he speaks to that person? Does he thereby break his promise to his mother?

The Shaykh:
What is he saying?

The questioner:
A man promised his mother that he would not speak to certain people, and his intention was not to speak to them except for one. What is the ruling in this case if he speaks to this person whom he had excluded in his intention? Does he thereby break his promise to his mother?

The Shaykh:
This depends on the reason why he does not speak to them. If speaking to them is harmful to him, and his mother fears that he will be negatively influenced by them because they are bad companions, he should avoid this. And if he promised his mother, he should fulfill the promise because she wants what is in his best interest. However, if there is no concern in speaking to them—no religious concern and no harm to the mother—there is nothing wrong with him speaking to them and speaking to some of them. Yes. Because there is no concern and no harm to him or to the mother. Yes.