The Intent Behind a False Oath
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
He asks: What is meant by casual speech in oaths? For example, if I mention it or say to someone, "I swear by the Great Allah that you will sit," is this considered casual speech in an oath?
Answer:
If you intend to make an oath, it becomes a binding oath. However, if it slips from your tongue without intention, this is a false oath.[Al-Ma'idah 5:89] The other verse states: “Allah does not hold you accountable for what is false in your oaths, but He holds you accountable for what you have intended in your oaths.” [Al-Baqarah 2:225] The criterion is intention. If you intend to make an oath and use its wording, then you must pay the expiation if you break it. But if it slips from your tongue without intention, is there anything required of you? No.
He asks: What is meant by casual speech in oaths? For example, if I mention it or say to someone, "I swear by the Great Allah that you will sit," is this considered casual speech in an oath?
Answer:
If you intend to make an oath, it becomes a binding oath. However, if it slips from your tongue without intention, this is a false oath.
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths.
لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ الْأَيْمَانَwhat your hearts have earned
بِمَا كَسَبَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 03/274 — archive.org (17:25)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.