Oaths by the Noble Qur'an
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Question: If a person swears an oath by the Noble Qur'an to do such-and-such, and then finds something better than it, so he leaves off doing what he swore to do, does he have to pay an expiation for the oath in this case?
Answer: First: Swearing an oath by the Noble Qur'an, as some ignorant people do, swearing by the mushaf and by the Qur'an, this is not something that should be done. Rather, one should swear without associating the mushaf or the Qur'an with it. The believer respects the oath even if it is not made by the mushaf;Because Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Ma'idah: 89] , and the believer holds the oath in reverence by Allah, respects it, and does not swear except when there is a need. And if he swears, he must be truthful, even if it is not by the mushaf.
As for the fact that if a person swears not to do something, or swears to do it, and sees that breaking the oath is better, there is no harm in that. Rather, it is recommended for him to do what is better and to pay the expiation for his oath;As he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 6680
Sunan an-Nasa'i 3780Sahih (Darussalam) , or as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said,And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Baqarah: 224] , so he should not let the oath stand between him and doing what is better. Rather, he must do what is better, even if it means breaking the oath, and he must pay the expiation for his oath.
Question: What is the difference between an oath that requires expiation and one that does not?
Answer: The oath that requires expiation is the one intended to be made regarding a possible future matter. If the oath is uttered without intention, it is mere slip of the tongue and does not count as a binding oath,And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Baqarah: 225] , and it is the oath that slips from his tongue without intention. Likewise, if he makes it and intends it regarding a past matter and is lying in that, if he swears to a past matter and is lying in it, this is the oath of the Ghamus, he sins for it, and it is among the major sins. There is no expiation for it, but there is repentance to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) by repenting and seeking forgiveness, and not returning to such a thing.
Question: Even if he did not know that he was lying?
Answer: No, if he did not know that he was lying, this is also from the slip of the tongue; because if he swears to a matter he believes to be true, and it turns out to be contrary to his strong belief, there is no blame in it and no sin in it, and this is considered from the slip of the tongue as well.
Answer: First: Swearing an oath by the Noble Qur'an, as some ignorant people do, swearing by the mushaf and by the Qur'an, this is not something that should be done. Rather, one should swear without associating the mushaf or the Qur'an with it. The believer respects the oath even if it is not made by the mushaf;Because Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says:
And keep your oaths
وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْAs for the fact that if a person swears not to do something, or swears to do it, and sees that breaking the oath is better, there is no harm in that. Rather, it is recommended for him to do what is better and to pay the expiation for his oath;As he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
By Allah, Allah willing, if ever I take an oath
والله إن شاء الله لا أحلف على يمينand then see something better than it, but I offer expiation for my oath and do that which is better
فأرى غيرها خيرًا منها إلا كفرت عن يميني، وأتيت الذي هو خيرAnd do not make [your oath by] Allah an excuse against being righteous and fearing Allah and making peace among people
وَلَا تَجْعَلُوا اللَّهَ عُرْضَةً لِأَيْمَانِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوا وَتَتَّقُوا وَتُصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ النَّاسِQuestion: What is the difference between an oath that requires expiation and one that does not?
Answer: The oath that requires expiation is the one intended to be made regarding a possible future matter. If the oath is uttered without intention, it is mere slip of the tongue and does not count as a binding oath,And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says:
Allah does not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths
لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْQuestion: Even if he did not know that he was lying?
Answer: No, if he did not know that he was lying, this is also from the slip of the tongue; because if he swears to a matter he believes to be true, and it turns out to be contrary to his strong belief, there is no blame in it and no sin in it, and this is considered from the slip of the tongue as well.