The Ruling on Absolute and Conditional Vows
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, I read in some of the scholars' books on 'aqidah (creed) that some of them hold that both the absolute and the conditional vow are disliked, while others hold that the dispensation lies in the conditional vow. What is the stronger position on this issue?
Answer:
The issue of the vow is not a matter of 'aqidah (creed); rather, it is among the rulings of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), except in the aspect that it is an act of worship, in which case it must be made sincerely for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The vow is disliked, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The vow brings no good." Therefore, entering into it is disliked because it restricts a person and obligates him to do something that may be difficult for him. However, if he makes a vow of obedience, he must fulfill it, in accordance with the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
The presenter:
Yes.
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, I read in some of the scholars' books on 'aqidah (creed) that some of them hold that both the absolute and the conditional vow are disliked, while others hold that the dispensation lies in the conditional vow. What is the stronger position on this issue?
Answer:
The issue of the vow is not a matter of 'aqidah (creed); rather, it is among the rulings of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), except in the aspect that it is an act of worship, in which case it must be made sincerely for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The vow is disliked, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The vow brings no good." Therefore, entering into it is disliked because it restricts a person and obligates him to do something that may be difficult for him. However, if he makes a vow of obedience, he must fulfill it, in accordance with the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
"Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey; and whoever vows to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him."
نذر أن يطيع الله فليطع من نذر أن يعصي الله فلا يعصيه.The presenter:
Yes.
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 03/230 — archive.org (4:23)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.