Ruling on swearing an oath regarding a past matter
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A person ran a traffic light,And the traffic police stopped him and said to him: Why did you run the light? He swore that he did not run it, wanting to escape the fine. What is his ruling? Does he owe an expiation or not?
An oath regarding a past matter does not require an expiation, but if he was lying, it is a sin; otherwise, if he was truthful, he is safe.
I will tell you a rule that will benefit you: Every oath regarding a past matter does not require an expiation,If I said: "By Allah! So-and-so did not come," when he is actually coming, you do not owe an expiation. Understand this rule,This man says: "By Allah! I did not run it"; it is a past matter,So we say: He does not owe an expiation, but he is either sinful if he was lying or safe if he was truthful. In the question you mentioned, he is sinful; because he swore that he did not run it, while he did run it.
Then, on this occasion, I would like to advise our brothers, drivers and others, not to run traffic lights; because it is a sin. These lights are installed by order of the authority, and the red light means stop. If the authority orders you to stop, it is obligatory for you to stop. If you disobey, you are a sinner, even if we assume there is no one on the road. It is not permissible for you to proceed; rather, you must remain until the light gives you the color that permits passing.
An oath regarding a past matter does not require an expiation, but if he was lying, it is a sin; otherwise, if he was truthful, he is safe.
I will tell you a rule that will benefit you: Every oath regarding a past matter does not require an expiation,If I said: "By Allah! So-and-so did not come," when he is actually coming, you do not owe an expiation. Understand this rule,This man says: "By Allah! I did not run it"; it is a past matter,So we say: He does not owe an expiation, but he is either sinful if he was lying or safe if he was truthful. In the question you mentioned, he is sinful; because he swore that he did not run it, while he did run it.
Then, on this occasion, I would like to advise our brothers, drivers and others, not to run traffic lights; because it is a sin. These lights are installed by order of the authority, and the red light means stop. If the authority orders you to stop, it is obligatory for you to stop. If you disobey, you are a sinner, even if we assume there is no one on the road. It is not permissible for you to proceed; rather, you must remain until the light gives you the color that permits passing.