Explanation of the author's statement: The thirtieth: Swearing an oath regarding a fatwa.
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The Shaykh :"The thirtieth: Swearing an oath regarding a fatwa"
The student: By Allah
The Shaykh :Sahih al-Bukhari 3701 The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) swore an oath without seeking guidance through the drawing of lots, but what is the benefit of this?
The student: Confirmation
The Shaykh : The benefit is confirmation; it is an exhortation, an exhortation for him to be very earnest in striving so that Allah guides a man through his hands. However, swearing an oath regarding a fatwa is not to be done except for a benefit; it is not to be done except for a benefit, because sometimes the result is the opposite. Sometimes a man swears even though he has doubt. Therefore, a person must consider this benefit. If he sees that the person to whom the oath is directed is confident in him and he wants to confirm, let him confirm. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) sometimes said in his answers, "Yes, by Allah," and he would swear. And Allah the Exalted commanded His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to swear in the Noble Qur'an:[Yunus 10:53] And He said: [Saba 34:3] [At-Taghabun 64:7] Yes. So if there is a benefit in swearing an oath regarding a fatwa, whether that is initially or in response to a question, then there is nothing wrong with it; indeed, there may be reward in it. But if there is no need for it, then it is not to be done.
The student: It is not from the category of swearing an oath upon Allah, making Allah a target...
The Shaykh : No, no. The correct view is that the meaning of "do not make it a target" is "do not make it a barrier to righteousness and piety."
The student: ...
The Shaykh : No, it is not prohibited. That is fine.
The student: By Allah
The Shaykh :
for by Allah, if one man is guided on the right path (i.e. converted to Islam) through you
فوالله لأن يهدي الله بك رجلا واحداThe student: Confirmation
The Shaykh : The benefit is confirmation; it is an exhortation, an exhortation for him to be very earnest in striving so that Allah guides a man through his hands. However, swearing an oath regarding a fatwa is not to be done except for a benefit; it is not to be done except for a benefit, because sometimes the result is the opposite. Sometimes a man swears even though he has doubt. Therefore, a person must consider this benefit. If he sees that the person to whom the oath is directed is confident in him and he wants to confirm, let him confirm. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) sometimes said in his answers, "Yes, by Allah," and he would swear. And Allah the Exalted commanded His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to swear in the Noble Qur'an:
And they ask information of you, [O Muhammad], "Is it true?" Say, "Yes, by my Lord. Indeed, it is truth
ويستنبئونك أحق هو قل إي وربي إنه لحقthose who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you
الذين كفروا لا تأتينا الساعة قل بلى وربي لتأتينكمThose who disbelieve have claimed that they will never be resurrected. Say, "Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected
زعم الذين كفروا أن لن يبعثوا قل بلى وربي لتُبعثنThe student: It is not from the category of swearing an oath upon Allah, making Allah a target...
The Shaykh : No, no. The correct view is that the meaning of "do not make it a target" is "do not make it a barrier to righteousness and piety."
The student: ...
The Shaykh : No, it is not prohibited. That is fine.