If a person swears to do an act in the present and does it in the future, is an expiation required of him?
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The questioner : If a person swears to do an act in the present and does it in the future, is an expiation required of him?
The Shaykh : If a person swears to do something and specifies a time for that act, and the time passes before he performs it, then an expiation is required of him. For example, if he says, “By Allah, I will surely pray two rak'ahs today,” and the day passes, then he owes an expiation. But if he says, “By Allah, I will surely pray two rak'ahs,” without specifying a time, then he has the choice. If he hastens to do it, that is better and purer for his conscience; and if he delays, there is no harm.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : If a person swears to do something and specifies a time for that act, and the time passes before he performs it, then an expiation is required of him. For example, if he says, “By Allah, I will surely pray two rak'ahs today,” and the day passes, then he owes an expiation. But if he says, “By Allah, I will surely pray two rak'ahs,” without specifying a time, then he has the choice. If he hastens to do it, that is better and purer for his conscience; and if he delays, there is no harm.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.