Is it permissible for a Muslim to swear by Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in order to strive against his own self, because I often fall into sins, but when I swear, I am able to restrain the desires of my soul?
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The questioner : And this is another questioner who says: May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Is it permissible for a Muslim to swear by Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in order to strive against his own self, because I often fall into sins, but when I swear, I am able to restrain the desires of my soul? Please advise us. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : We say that it is not permissible for a person to use this method in performing obligatory duties, because Allah said in His Book:[An-Nur 24:53] meaning that you are required to obey in a known manner without swearing. Therefore, it is not permissible for a person to swear upon himself that he will do such and such, because this is contrary to what Allah commanded in His saying: meaning without swearing.
If a person were to open this door for himself, he would say, "By Allah, I will perform wudu," when he wants to perform ablution; "By Allah, I will pray," when he wants to pray; and "By Allah, I will fast," when he wants to fast. This statement would be more severe than speaking one's intention, and speaking one's intention is not prescribed. Therefore, this is undoubtedly not prescribed.
A person should strive against his own self to perform obedience in the known manner, in compliance with the command of Allah, not by forcing his self or compelling it. In my opinion, the one who cannot perform an act of worship except by swearing and taking an oath has something of a dislike for this obedience. This is why he forces his self with an oath. Disliking acts of obedience is a very serious matter. Allah said:[Muhammad 47:9].
The questioner : All right, O Shaykh, what if he swears that he will leave sins?
The Shaykh : Even if he swears that he will not commit a sin, he should not swear. He should seek help from Allah (Mighty and Majestic), think, estimate, and know the effects of the sin and its bad outcome, and then leave it.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Is it permissible for a Muslim to swear by Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in order to strive against his own self, because I often fall into sins, but when I swear, I am able to restrain the desires of my soul? Please advise us. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : We say that it is not permissible for a person to use this method in performing obligatory duties, because Allah said in His Book:
And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths that if you ordered them, they would go forth [in Allah 's cause]. Say, "Do not swear. [Such] obedience is known
وأقسموا بالله جهد أيمانهم لئن أمرتهم ليخرجن قل لا تقسموا طاعة معروفةknown obedience
طاعة معروفةIf a person were to open this door for himself, he would say, "By Allah, I will perform wudu," when he wants to perform ablution; "By Allah, I will pray," when he wants to pray; and "By Allah, I will fast," when he wants to fast. This statement would be more severe than speaking one's intention, and speaking one's intention is not prescribed. Therefore, this is undoubtedly not prescribed.
A person should strive against his own self to perform obedience in the known manner, in compliance with the command of Allah, not by forcing his self or compelling it. In my opinion, the one who cannot perform an act of worship except by swearing and taking an oath has something of a dislike for this obedience. This is why he forces his self with an oath. Disliking acts of obedience is a very serious matter. Allah said:
That is because they disliked what Allah revealed, so He rendered worthless their deeds.
ذلك بأنهم كرهوا ما أنزل الله فأحبط أعمالهمThe questioner : All right, O Shaykh, what if he swears that he will leave sins?
The Shaykh : Even if he swears that he will not commit a sin, he should not swear. He should seek help from Allah (Mighty and Majestic), think, estimate, and know the effects of the sin and its bad outcome, and then leave it.