Fulfilling a Vow According to the Intention
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
I made a vow that if Allah granted me a sum of money from His bounty through my sweat and effort, I would dedicate a portion of what Allah gave me to building a mosque. I set aside a specific amount in my mind, which I believed at the time of my vow would be sufficient to build the mosque. Years and days passed, and Allah realized my hopes. I want to fulfill my vow.
What happened is that the amount I previously aimed to achieve, in the currency of my country, is no longer sufficient to build a mosque today, after its value was devalued. The amount I set aside, of course, is not enough to furnish a mosque, nor to establish it, due to the decline in the currency's value. I am considering giving this amount in charity to the needy, the poor, and the destitute, whether they are relatives or others, or giving it to a charitable organization that builds mosques that are not yet completed. Is that permissible? Please advise us; may Allah reward you.
Answer:
It is obligatory for you to fulfill the vow, and that is by building a mosque according to your ability. If you intended a mosque where the Friday prayer is held, it is obligatory for you to do so; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Ibn Majah 2126Sahih (Darussalam) narrated by al-Bukhari in his Sahih.
You must strive to fulfill your vow completely. However, if you intended a specific amount in your vow, then you are only required to give that amount; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih al-Bukhari 1. If that amount is not enough to build the mosque, then contribute with it to a mosque along with others; based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surat al-Taghabun: 16].
May Allah make your matter easy and absolve you of your obligation.
I made a vow that if Allah granted me a sum of money from His bounty through my sweat and effort, I would dedicate a portion of what Allah gave me to building a mosque. I set aside a specific amount in my mind, which I believed at the time of my vow would be sufficient to build the mosque. Years and days passed, and Allah realized my hopes. I want to fulfill my vow.
What happened is that the amount I previously aimed to achieve, in the currency of my country, is no longer sufficient to build a mosque today, after its value was devalued. The amount I set aside, of course, is not enough to furnish a mosque, nor to establish it, due to the decline in the currency's value. I am considering giving this amount in charity to the needy, the poor, and the destitute, whether they are relatives or others, or giving it to a charitable organization that builds mosques that are not yet completed. Is that permissible? Please advise us; may Allah reward you.
Answer:
It is obligatory for you to fulfill the vow, and that is by building a mosque according to your ability. If you intended a mosque where the Friday prayer is held, it is obligatory for you to do so; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey Him, and whoever vows to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him.
من نذر أن يطيع الله فليطعه، ومن نذر أن يعصي الله فلا يعصهYou must strive to fulfill your vow completely. However, if you intended a specific amount in your vow, then you are only required to give that amount; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.
إنما الأعمال بالنيات، وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوىSo fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْMay Allah make your matter easy and absolve you of your obligation.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.