The Ruling on Expiation for an Absolute Vow

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, I vowed to fast, and then I made expiation for my vow. The question is: Is it obligatory for me to fast? Knowing that the total number of days amounts to sixty days?

The Shaykh:
Yes, correct.

The questioner:
I vowed to fast, and then I made expiation for my vow. The question is: Is it obligatory for me to fast? Knowing that the total number of days amounts to sixty days?

The Shaykh:
No, making expiation for your vow does not absolve you; you are required to fulfill the vow. This is based on the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) unless the vow takes the form of an oath, where you would say, "If such and such happens, I must fast such and such," or "If such and such does not happen," instead of saying "By Allah," you say, "I have a vow to do such and such." If it takes the form of an oath, then expiation releases you from it. However, if it is a vow made initially, without being conditional and without an oath, then you are required to fulfill it, based on the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) Yes.