A vow to give charity for every sin committed

The questioner:
About ten years ago, I wanted to distance myself from a sin that had become habitual for me. So I said, “By Allah, I repent that whenever I commit this sin, I will give ten riyals in charity.” Then I committed it many times, and I do not know how many times it was. I have now left it completely, praise be to Allah. The question is: What is obligatory for me? Should I estimate the number of times and pay the money to the poor? Or should I perform the expiation for a broken oath, which would suffice for all of them?

The Shaykh:
Busy.

The questioner:
About ten years ago, I wanted to distance myself from a sin that had become habitual for me. So I made a vow to Allah that whenever I committed this sin, I would give ten riyals in charity. Then I committed it many times, and I do not know or understand how many times it was. I have now left it completely, praise be to Allah. The question is: What is obligatory for me? Should I estimate the number of times and pay the amount to the poor? Or should I perform the expiation for a broken oath, which would suffice for all of them?

The Shaykh:
You perform the expiation for a broken oath, and it suffices for all of them, because this vow was not intended for drawing near to Allah, but rather was intended to prevent a person from doing something. Therefore, it is treated like an oath. If one violates it, the expiation for a broken oath is required. Yes. Allah the Exalted knows best, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.