The Ruling on Fulfilling a Permissible Vow
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Question:
We will return to the rest of our brother’s questions in upcoming sessions, if Allah wills. As for now, this is a message from a female listener (J. M. M.) from Kuwait. She sent a message saying: Due to my health, I vowed not to eat more than two meals a day. Since I am a student and walk home on foot, I have become very hungry, and the period between lunch and the next day’s dinner is long. What should I do? Should I continue, or do I have to pay an expiation if I want to eat a third meal? Please advise us. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
This is called a permissible vow, or a recommended vow at most, intended for economy, or for vigor in worship, or for vigor in seeking knowledge. There is no harm if you eat more than that, and you must pay the expiation for an oath. This vow is not obligatory; it is not an act of obedience to Allah that must be fulfilled. Its limit is that it is permissible. Therefore, you must pay the expiation for an oath. Praise be to Allah: feeding ten poor people, or clothing them. You may eat three meals, or more; there is no harm in that.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
We will return to the rest of our brother’s questions in upcoming sessions, if Allah wills. As for now, this is a message from a female listener (J. M. M.) from Kuwait. She sent a message saying: Due to my health, I vowed not to eat more than two meals a day. Since I am a student and walk home on foot, I have become very hungry, and the period between lunch and the next day’s dinner is long. What should I do? Should I continue, or do I have to pay an expiation if I want to eat a third meal? Please advise us. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
This is called a permissible vow, or a recommended vow at most, intended for economy, or for vigor in worship, or for vigor in seeking knowledge. There is no harm if you eat more than that, and you must pay the expiation for an oath. This vow is not obligatory; it is not an act of obedience to Allah that must be fulfilled. Its limit is that it is permissible. Therefore, you must pay the expiation for an oath. Praise be to Allah: feeding ten poor people, or clothing them. You may eat three meals, or more; there is no harm in that.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.