What is the ruling on one who made a vow and was unable to fulfill it?

The questioner : Yes, peace be upon you, and upon you be peace. This is the "Question by Phone" program. Yes, Honorable Shaykh, she says that she made a vow but is unable to fulfill it due to her lack of financial means. What is required of her?

The Shaykh : We must know the reasons for this vow, because vows differ. Some vows have the ruling of an oath, and expiation for an oath suffices for them. Some vows are not permissible to fulfill. And some vows are obligatory to fulfill. So we must know what she vowed and what the reason was.

The questioner : She says that she vowed that if a specific matter happened to her, she would give a sum of money in charity, and she means that she is unable to do so because of her lack of financial means?

The Shaykh : If she said "if Allah wills," then she owes nothing, because attaching the vow to the will of Allah makes the matter subject to the will of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). So if Allah wills, she is not to give charity. But if she did not attach it to the will of Allah, then it is obligatory for her to fulfill her vow. If she is able, the matter is clear. If she is not able, it remains a debt in her conscience until it becomes easy for her to do so, and then she should give the charity she vowed. May Allah reward you.