The validity of an oath by the phrase "By Allah"
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You say: Does the phrase "By Allah" count as an oath by Allah that requires fulfilling what one swore to, and is it like the phrase "By the Great Allah"? Please guide us, may you be rewarded. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: Yes, "By Allah" is sufficient for an oath, but it is not obligatory to fulfill what one swore to unless it is obligatory by the Shari'ah. So if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely eat this food," or "By Allah, I will definitely drink this water," or "By Allah, I will definitely visit so-and-so," the visit is not obligatory on him, nor is eating or drinking obligatory on him. If he does it, there is no harm; if he leaves it, he must pay the expiation for an oath. The expiation is feeding ten poor people, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. If he is unable to do so, he fasts for three days. This is the expiation for an oath. Each poor person is given half a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of dates or rice, which is one and a half kilograms, or a garment that is sufficient for him in prayer. So if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely visit so-and-so," or "By Allah, I will definitely eat from this food," or "By Allah, I will definitely drink from this milk or this water," he has a choice: if he wishes, he does it and there is no expiation on him; if he wishes, he leaves it and he must pay the expiation for an oath. Or if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely travel today to Makkah or to such-and-such," he has a choice: if he wishes, he travels; if he wishes, he leaves it. If he leaves it, he must pay the expiation for an oath; if he travels, there is no harm.
As for when the thing sworn to is an obligation or a sin, he is obligated to perform the obligation and leave the sin. So if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely fast Ramadan," or "By Allah, I will definitely pray the five prayers," he is obligated to pray even if he had not sworn; the oath serves as an affirmation. "By Allah, I will not lie"—he is obligated not to lie even if he had not sworn; the oath serves as an affirmation. "By Allah, I will not deal in riba (usury or interest)"—he is obligated not to deal in riba. "By Allah, I will not backbite anyone"—he is obligated not to backbite anyone. So the oath is an affirmation that confirms this matter.
As for if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely kill so-and-so," meaning without right, this is not permissible for him. He must pay the expiation for an oath, and it is not permissible for him to kill him without right. Or if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely commit zina (unlawful sexual intercourse)" or "I will definitely drink khamr (intoxicants)," it is not permissible for him. This is forbidden and among the major sins, and he must pay the expiation for an oath for his oath. Or if he says, "By Allah, I will not obey my parents" or "I will not maintain my family ties," all of this is blameworthy. He must expiate for his oath, be dutiful to his parents, and maintain his family ties. These are examples by which other cases are understood. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: Yes, "By Allah" is sufficient for an oath, but it is not obligatory to fulfill what one swore to unless it is obligatory by the Shari'ah. So if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely eat this food," or "By Allah, I will definitely drink this water," or "By Allah, I will definitely visit so-and-so," the visit is not obligatory on him, nor is eating or drinking obligatory on him. If he does it, there is no harm; if he leaves it, he must pay the expiation for an oath. The expiation is feeding ten poor people, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. If he is unable to do so, he fasts for three days. This is the expiation for an oath. Each poor person is given half a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of dates or rice, which is one and a half kilograms, or a garment that is sufficient for him in prayer. So if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely visit so-and-so," or "By Allah, I will definitely eat from this food," or "By Allah, I will definitely drink from this milk or this water," he has a choice: if he wishes, he does it and there is no expiation on him; if he wishes, he leaves it and he must pay the expiation for an oath. Or if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely travel today to Makkah or to such-and-such," he has a choice: if he wishes, he travels; if he wishes, he leaves it. If he leaves it, he must pay the expiation for an oath; if he travels, there is no harm.
As for when the thing sworn to is an obligation or a sin, he is obligated to perform the obligation and leave the sin. So if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely fast Ramadan," or "By Allah, I will definitely pray the five prayers," he is obligated to pray even if he had not sworn; the oath serves as an affirmation. "By Allah, I will not lie"—he is obligated not to lie even if he had not sworn; the oath serves as an affirmation. "By Allah, I will not deal in riba (usury or interest)"—he is obligated not to deal in riba. "By Allah, I will not backbite anyone"—he is obligated not to backbite anyone. So the oath is an affirmation that confirms this matter.
As for if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely kill so-and-so," meaning without right, this is not permissible for him. He must pay the expiation for an oath, and it is not permissible for him to kill him without right. Or if he says, "By Allah, I will definitely commit zina (unlawful sexual intercourse)" or "I will definitely drink khamr (intoxicants)," it is not permissible for him. This is forbidden and among the major sins, and he must pay the expiation for an oath for his oath. Or if he says, "By Allah, I will not obey my parents" or "I will not maintain my family ties," all of this is blameworthy. He must expiate for his oath, be dutiful to his parents, and maintain his family ties. These are examples by which other cases are understood. Yes.
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.