The ruling on one who vowed money for the poor but whose agent spent it on building a mosque

Question:
The listener (A. M. A.) from Jeddah sent a message saying: A woman vowed to give charity with a sum of money if she were healed from her illness. She was healed, and she handed the amount to her husband to give it as charity. After a while, she discovered that her husband had paid the amount as assistance in building a mosque, and that was not her intention; rather, what she intended was to give charity to the poor. Is her husband’s action permissible? And has she fulfilled her vow or not?

Answer:
If the situation is as described, his action is not sufficient and does not suffice. Rather, it is obligatory for her to give an equivalent amount to the poor; because she intended charity for the poor, and building a mosque does not take the place of that.
And her husband must compensate her for the money she gave him if she does not forgive him. If she forgives him, it is in the way of drawing near to Allah and a righteous deed. And she must give an equivalent amount so that she can hand it to the poor, as she intended in her vow. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And Allah praised those who fulfill their vows, so He said (Mighty and Majestic): [Al-Insan:7].
So it is obligatory for the questioner to fulfill her vow, and to give money in exchange for the money she gave her husband so that she can spend it on the poor as she vowed. If she wishes and demands from her husband the equivalent of what she gave him, there is nothing wrong with that. And if she forgives him, there is nothing wrong with that.

The presenter: Very well, may Allah reward you with good.