The ruling on one who made a vow and was unable to fulfill it

Question:
These are several questions sent by the listener Mas'ud 'Abdullah, a resident of Wadi al-Far' in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. He says: First, if a person makes a vow and is unable to fulfill it, what is obligatory upon him?

Answer:
This requires a detailed explanation:
If he vowed an act of obedience, he must fulfill it, such as vowing to pray or fast or something similar; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: As for one who vows something disliked, such as saying: "For the sake of Allah, I will fast for a full year," or "I will fast forever," this is a disliked vow, and it is not appropriate. He owes an oath expiation for this matter; he owes an oath expiation.
As for if he vows something he cannot afford, by saying: "It is obligatory upon me for the sake of Allah to give one million riyals in charity," and he cannot afford one million, nor anything close to one million, he must pay an oath expiation. If it is a vow he cannot afford, he owes an oath expiation, if he cannot afford it and does not think he will be able to afford it. If it is possible for him to obtain it, it becomes a debt in his liability, such as saying: "It is obligatory upon me for the sake of Allah to give one thousand riyals in charity," and he does not have it on hand. In that case, it is a debt in his liability, and he strives to obtain it, and whenever he obtains it and it becomes easy for him, he gives it in charity.
As for if the thing is, meaning, usually impossible for him to perform or be able to do, then an oath expiation is sufficient for him.

The presenter: Yes.