Fulfilling a Financial Vow When in Need of Money

Question:
A listener from the Arab Republic of Egypt sent this, using letters as a code. He says: I made a vow to pay a sum of one thousand pounds to help build the mosque in the village if I traveled to any Arab country. In fact, Allah honored me, and I came to Saudi Arabia as a teacher in the Kingdom’s schools. However, I am in need of a sum of money to build my future. Should I reduce the amount, or will Allah forgive me, or is it obligatory for me to pay the full amount? Please clarify. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
If you have a sum of money that is in excess of the necessities for you and your children, then it is obligatory for you to fulfill it yourself. If you have a sum of money that exceeds your needs and the needs of those you are responsible for, then it is obligatory for you to fulfill it yourself. However, if you do not have anything except what is sufficient for you and your children, then nothing is obligatory upon you, because you are not able to pay. Because at that time you are not able to pay, so you wait until Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, makes it easy for you to have this sum, and then you fulfill it. For you, or the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) does not know about the son of Adam, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said. There is no fulfillment of a vow to a relative or to one who does not have the right to ask you. As he (peace and blessings be upon him) said.