Oaths and Vows

Allah said:

لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ ... كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths,

but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation,

- feed then indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families;

- or clothe them;

- or give a slave his freedom.

- If that is beyond your means, fast for three days.

That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths.

Thus doth Allah make clear to you His Signs, that ye may be grateful. (5:89)

Hadith # 6621

Narrated `Aisha:

Abu Bakr As-Siddiq had never broken his oaths till Allah revealed the expiation for the oaths. Then he said,

"If I take an oath to do something and later on I find something else better than the first one, then I do what is better and make expiation for my oath."

Hadith # 6622

Narrated `Abdur-Rahman bin Samura:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"O `Abdur-Rahman bin Samura! Do not seek to be a ruler, because if you are given authority for it, then you will be held responsible for it,

but if you are given it without asking for it, then you will be helped in it (by Allah):

and whenever you take an oath to do something and later you find that something else is better than the first, then do the better one and make expiation for your oath."

Hadith # 6623

Narrated Abu Musa:

I went to the Prophet (pbuh) along with a group of Al-Ash`ariyin in order to request him to provide us with mounts. He said, "By Allah, I will not provide you with mounts and I haven't got anything to mount you on."

Then we stayed there as long as Allah wished us to stay, and then three very nice looking she-camels were brought to him and he made us ride them. When we left, we, or some of us, said, "By Allah, we will not be blessed, as we came to the Prophet (pbuh) asking him for mounts, and he swore that he would not give us any mounts but then he did give us. So let us go back to the Prophet (pbuh) and remind him (of his oath)."

When we returned to him (and reminded him of the fact), he said,

"I did not give you mounts, but it is Allah Who gave you. By Allah, Allah willing, if I ever take an oath to do something and then I find something else than the first, I will make expiation for my oath and do the thing which is better (or do something which is better and give the expiation for my oath)."

Hadith # 6624

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"We (Muslims) are the last in the world, but will be foremost on the Day of Resurrection."

Hadith # 6625

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) also said:

"By Allah, if anyone of you insists on fulfilling an oath by which he may harm his family, he commits a greater sin in Allah's sight than that of dissolving his oath and making expiation for it."

Hadith # 6626

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"Anyone who takes an oath through which his family may be harmed, and insists on keeping it, he surely commits a sin greater (than that of dissolving his oath). He should rather compensate for that oath by making expiation."

Hadith # 6627

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) sent an army detachment and made Usama bin Zaid its commander. Some people criticized (spoke badly of) Usama's leadership. So Allah's Messenger (pbuh) got up saying,

"If you people are criticizing Usama's leadership, you have already criticized the leadership of his father before. But Waaimullah (i.e., By Allah), he (i.e. Zaid) deserved the leadership, and he was one of the most beloved persons to me; and now this (his son Usama) is one of the dearest persons to me after him."

How did the oaths of the Prophet (pbuh) use to be?

Hadith # 6628

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

The oath of the Prophet (pbuh) used to be:

"No, by Him who turns the hearts."

Hadith # 6629

Narrated Jabir bin Samura:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"If Caesar is ruined, there will be no Caesar after him; and if Khosrau is ruined, there will be no Khosrau, after him; and, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, surely you will spend their treasures in Allah's Cause."

Hadith # 6630

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"If Khosrau is ruined, there will be no Khosrau after him; and if Caesar is ruined, there will be no Caesar after him. By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, surely you will spend their treasures in Allah's Cause."

Hadith # 6631

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"O followers of Muhammad! By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would weep much and laugh little."

Hadith # 6632

Narrated `Abdullah bin Hisham:

We were with the Prophet (pbuh) and he was holding the hand of `Umar bin Al-Khattab. `Umar said to Him, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self."

Then `Umar said to him, "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Now, O `Umar, (now you are a believer).

Hadith # 6633, 6634

Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid:

Two men had a dispute in the presence of Allah's Messenger (pbuh). One of them said, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." The other who was wiser, said, "Yes, O Allah's Apostle! Judge between us according to Allah's Laws and allow me to speak. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Speak."

He said, "My son was a laborer serving this (person) and he committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife, The people said that my son is to be stoned to death, but I ransomed him with one-hundred sheep and a slave girl. Then I asked the learned people, who informed me that my son should receive one hundred lashes and will be exiled for one year, and stoning will be the lot for the man's wife."

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"Indeed, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I will judge between you according to Allah's Laws: As for your sheep and slave girl, they are to be returned to you."

Then he scourged his son one hundred lashes and exiled him for one year.

Then Unais Al- Aslami was ordered to go to the wife of the second man, and if she confessed (the crime), then stone her to death. She did confess, so he stoned her to death.

Hadith # 6635

Narrated Abu Bakra:

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Do you think if the tribes of Aslam, Ghifar, Muzaina and Juhaina are better than the tribes of Tamim, 'Amir bin Sa'sa'a, Ghatfan and Asad, they (the second group) are despairing and losing?"

They (the Prophet's companions) said, "Yes, (they are)."

He said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, they (the first group) are better than them (the second group)."

Hadith # 6636

Narrated Abu Humaid As-Sa`idi:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) employed an employee (to collect Zakat). The employee returned after completing his job and said, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! This (amount of Zakat) is for you, and this (other amount) was given to me as a present."

The Prophet (pbuh) said to him, "Why didn't you stay at your father's or mother's house and see if you would be given presents or not?"

Then Allah's Messenger (pbuh) got up in the evening after the prayer, and having testified that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and praised and glorified Allah as He deserved, he said,

"Now then! What about an employee whom we employ and then he comes and says, 'This amount (of Zakat) is for you, and this (amount) was given to me as a present'? Why didn't he stay at the house of his father and mother to see if he would be given presents or not?

By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, none of you will steal anything of it (i.e. Zakat) but will bring it by carrying it over his neck on the Day of Resurrection.

If it has been a camel, he will bring it (over his neck) while it will be grunting,

and if it has been a cow, he will bring it (over his neck), while it will be mooing;

and if it has been a sheep, he will bring it (over his neck) while it will be bleeding."

The Prophet (pbuh) added, "I have preached you (Allah's Message)."

Abu Humaid said, "Then Allah's Messenger (pbuh) raised his hands so high that we saw the whiteness of his armpits."

Hadith # 6637

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Abu-l-Qasim (the Prophet) said,

"By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if you know that which I know, you would weep much and laugh little."

Hadith # 6638

Narrated Abu Dhar:

I reached him (the Prophet (pbuh) ) while in the shade of the Ka`ba; he was saying, "They are the losers, by the Lord of the Ka`ba! They are the losers, by the Lord of the Ka`ba!" I said (to myself), "What is wrong with me? Is anything improper detected in me? What is wrong with me?

Then I sat beside him and he kept on saying his statement. I could not remain quiet, and Allah knows in what sorrowful state I was at that time. So I said, ' Who are they (the losers)? Let My father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)!"

He said, "They are the wealthy people, except the one who does like this and like this and like this (i.e., spends of his wealth in Allah's Cause).

Hadith # 6639

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "(The Prophet) Solomon once said, 'Tonight I will sleep with ninety women, each of whom will bring forth a (would-be) cavalier who will fight in Allah's Cause."

On this, his companion said to him, "Say: Allah willing!" But he did not say Allah willing.

Solomon then slept with all the women, but none of them became pregnant but one woman who later delivered a halfman.

By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if he (Solomon) had said, 'Allah willing' (all his wives would have brought forth boys) and they would have fought in Allah's Cause as cavaliers. "

Hadith # 6640

Narrated Al-Bara 'bin `Azib:

A piece of silken cloth was given to the Prophet (pbuh) as a present and the people handed it over amongst themselves and were astonished at its beauty and softness. Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "Are you astonished at it?" They said, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)!"

He said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, the handkerchiefs of Sa`d in Paradise are better than it."

Hadith # 6641

Narrated `Aisha:

Hind bint `Utba bin Rabi`a said, "O Allah 's Apostle! (Before I embraced Islam), there was no family on the surface of the earth, I wish to have degraded more than I did your family. But today there is no family whom I wish to have honored more than I did yours."

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "I thought similarly, by Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is!"

Hind said, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! (My husband) Abu Sufyan is a miser. Is it sinful of me to feed my children from his property?"

The Prophet said, "No, unless you take it for your needs what is just and reasonable."

Hadith # 6642

Narrated `Abdullah bin Masud:

While Allah's Messenger (pbuh) was sitting, reclining his back against a Yemenite leather tent he said to his companions, "Will you be pleased to be one-fourth of the people of Paradise?" They said, 'Yes.' He said "Won't you be pleased to be one-third of the people of Paradise" They said, "Yes."

He said, "By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, I hope that you will be one-half of the people of Paradise."

Hadith # 6643

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

A man heard another man reciting: Surat-ul-Ikhlas (The Unity) 'Say: He is Allah, the One (112) and he was repeating it.

The next morning he came to Allah's Messenger (pbuh) and mentioned the whole story to him as if he regarded the recitation of that Sura as insufficient On that, Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! That (Sura No. 112) equals one-third of the Qur'an."

Hadith # 6644

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying,

"Perform the bowing and the prostration properly (with peace of mind), for, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I see you from behind my back when you bow and when you prostrate."

Hadith # 6645

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

An Ansari woman came to the Prophet (pbuh) in the company of her children, and the Prophet (pbuh) said to her,

"By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you are the most beloved people to me!"

And he repeated the statement thrice.

"Do not swear by your fathers"

Hadith # 6646

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) met `Umar bin Al-Khattab while the latter was going with a group of camel-riders, and he was swearing by his father. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Lo! Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers, so whoever has to take an oath, he should swear by Allah or keep quiet."

Hadith # 6647

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

I heard `Umar saying, "Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said to me, 'Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers."

`Umar said, "By Allah! Since I heard that from the Prophet (pbuh), I have not taken such an oath, neither intentionally, nor by reporting the oath of someone else."

Hadith # 6648

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "Do not swear by your fathers."

Hadith # 6649

Narrated Zahdam:

There was a relation of love and brotherhood between this tribe of Jarm and Al-Ash`ariyin. Once we were with Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, and then a meal containing chicken was brought to Abu Musa, and there was present, a man from the tribe of Taimillah who was of red complexion as if he were from non-Arab freed slaves. Abu Musa invited him to the meal. He said, "I have seen chickens eating dirty things, so I deemed it filthy and took an oath that I would never eat chicken."

On that, Abu Musa said, "Get up, I will narrate to you about that.

Once a group of the Ash`ariyin and I went to Allah's Messenger (pbuh) and asked him to provide us with mounts; he said, 'By Allah, I will never give you any mounts nor do I have anything to mount you on.'

Then a few camels of war booty were brought to Allah's Messenger (pbuh), and he asked about us, saying, 'Where are the Ash-'ariyin?' He then ordered five nice camels to be given to us, and when we had departed, we said, 'What have we done? Allah's Messenger (pbuh) had taken the oath not to give us any mounts, and that he had nothing to mount us on, and later he gave us that we might ride? Did we take advantage of the fact that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) had forgotten his oath? By Allah, we will never succeed.' So we went back to him and said to him, 'We came to you to give us mounts, and you took an oath that you would not give us any mounts and that you had nothing to mount us on.' On that he said, 'I did not provide you with mounts, but Allah did.

By Allah, if I take an oath to do something, and then find something else better than it, I do that which is better and make expiation for the dissolution of the oath.' "

One should not swear by Al-Lat and Al-'Uzza or  false deities

Hadith # 6650

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever swears saying in his oath. 'By Al-Lat and Al-`Uzza,' should say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah;

and whoever says to his friend, 'Come, let me gamble with you,' should give something in charity."

One who gives an oath for something although he has not been asked for oath

Hadith # 6651

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) had a gold ring made for himself, and he used to wear it with the stone towards the inner part of his hand. Consequently, the people had similar rings made for themselves. Afterwards the Prophet; sat on the pulpit and took it off, saying,

"I used to wear this ring and keep its stone towards the palm of my hand." He then threw it away and said, "By Allah, I will never wear it."

Therefore all the people threw away their rings as well.

Whoever swears by a religion other than Islam

Hadith # 6652

Narrated Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever swears by a religion other than Islam, is, as he says;

and whoever commits suicide with something, will be punished with the same thing in the (Hell) Fire;

and cursing a believer is like murdering him;

and whoever accuses a believer of disbelief, then it is as if he had killed him."

One should not say: "Whatever Allah wills and whatever you will."

Hadith # 6653

Narrated Abu Hurairah that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying,

"Allah decided to test three people from Bani Isra'il. So, He sent an angel who came first to the leper and said, '(I am a traveller) who has run short of all means of living, and I have nobody to help me except Allah, and then with your help.'"

Abu Hurairah then mentioned the complete narration.

"They swear by Allah their strongest oaths that ...(24:53)"

Hadith # 6654

Narrated Al-Bara:

The Prophet (pbuh) ordered us to help others to fulfill the oaths.

Hadith # 6655

Narrated Usama:

Once a daughter of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) sent a message to Allah's Messenger (pbuh) while Usama, Sa`d, and my father or Ubai were (sitting there) with him. She said, (in the message); My child is going to die; please come to us."

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) returned the messenger and told him to convey his greetings to her, and say,

"Whatever Allah takes, is for Him and whatever He gives is for Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world): so she should be patient and hope for Allah's reward."

Then she again sent for him swearing that he should come; so The Prophet (pbuh) got up, and so did we. When he sat there (at the house of his daughter), the child was brought to him, and he took him into his lap while the child's breath was disturbed in his chest. The eyes of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) started shedding tears. Sa`d said, "What is this, O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)?"

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"This is the mercy which Allah has lodged in the hearts of whoever He wants of His slaves, and verily Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others).'

Hadith # 6656

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"Any Muslim who has lost three of his children will not be touched by the Fire except that which will render Allah's oath fulfilled."

Hadith # 6657

Narrated Haritha bin Wahb:

I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying, "Shall I tell you of the people of Paradise?

They comprise every poor humble person, and if he swears by Allah to do something, Allah will fulfill it;

while the people of the fire comprise every violent, cruel arrogant person."

"I bear witness swearing by Allah"

Hadith # 6658

Narrated `Abdullah:

The Prophet (pbuh) was asked, "Who are the best people?" He replied:

The people of my generation, and then those who will follow (come after) them, and then those who will come after the later; after that there will come some people whose witness will precede their oaths and their oaths will go ahead of their witness."

Ibrahim a sub-narrator said,

"When we were young, our elder friends used to prohibit us from taking oaths by saying, 'I bear witness swearing by Allah, or by Allah's Covenant."'

The Covenant of Allah 'Azza wa Jall

Hadith # 6659, 6660

Narrated `Abdullah:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever swears falsely in order to grab the property of a Muslim (or of his brother), Allah will be angry with him when he meets Him."

Allah then revealed in confirmation of the above statement:--

'Verily those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their own oaths.' (3.77)

Al-Ash'ath said, "This Verse was revealed regarding me and a companion of mine when we had a dispute about a well."

To swear by Allah's 'Izza, His Qualities, and His Speech

Hadith # 6661

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The Hell Fire will keep on saying: 'Are there anymore (people to come)?' Till the Lord of Power and Honor will put His Foot over it and then it will say, 'Qat! Qat! (sufficient! sufficient!) by Your Power and Honor. And its various sides will come close to each other (i.e., it will contract). "

"La 'amrullah لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ "

Hadith # 6662

Narrated Az-Zuhri:

I heard `Urwa bin Az-Zubair, Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab, 'Alqama bin Waqqas and 'Ubaidullah bin `Abdullah narrating from `Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, the story about the liars who said what they said about her and how Allah revealed her innocence afterwards. Each one of the above four narrators narrated to me a portion of her narration. It was said in it,

"The Prophet (pbuh) stood up, saying, 'Is there anyone who can relieve me from `Abdullah bin Ubai?'

On that, Usaid bin Hudair got up and said to Sa`d bin 'Ubada, La`Amrullahi لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ (By the Eternity of Allah), we will kill him!' "

In Surat al-Baqarah Allah says:

لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يُؤَاخِذُكُمْ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۗ

Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths,

but for the intention in your hearts; (2.225)

Hadith # 6663

Narrated `Aisha:

This Verse was revealed concerning such oath formulas as: 'No, by Allah!' and 'Yes, by Allah!' something against his oath due to forgetfulness should he make expiation?). And the Statement of Allah:

'And there is no blame on you if you make a mistake therein.' (33.5)

And Allah said:--

'(Moses said to Khadir): Call me not to account for what I forgot.' (18.73)

If someone does something against his oath due to forgetfulness

Hadith # 6664

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Allah forgives my followers those (evil deeds) their souls may whisper or suggest to them as long as they do not act (on it) or speak."

Hadith # 6665

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-As:

While the Prophet (pbuh) was delivering a sermon on the Day of Nahr (i.e., 10th Dhul-Hijja-Day of slaughtering the sacrifice), a man got up saying, "I thought, O Allah's Messenger (pbuh), such-and-such a thing was to be done before such-and-such a thing."

Another man got up, saying, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! As regards these three (acts of Hajj), thought so-and-so."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Do, and there is no harm,"

concerning all those matters on that day. And so, on that day, whatever question he was asked, he said, "Do it, do it, and there is no harm therein."

Hadith # 6666

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

A man said to the Prophet (while he was delivering a sermon on the Day of Nahr), "I have performed the Tawaf round the Ka`ba before the Rami (throwing pebbles) at the Jamra." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "There is no harm (therein)."

Another man said, "I had my head shaved before slaughtering (the sacrifice)."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "There is no harm."

A third said, "I have slaughtered (the sacrifice) before the Rami (throwing pebbles) at the Jamra."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "There is no harm."

Hadith # 6667

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A man entered the mosque and started praying while Allah's Messenger (pbuh) was sitting somewhere in the mosque. Then (after finishing the prayer) the man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and greeted him. The Prophet (pbuh) said to him, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.

The man went back, and having prayed, he came and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet (pbuh) after returning his greetings said, "Go back and pray, for you did not pray."

On the third time the man said, "(O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)!) teach me (how to pray)."

The Prophet said,

- "When you get up for the prayer, perform the ablution properly and then face the Qibla and say Takbir (Allahu Akbar),

- and then recite of what you know of the Qur'an,

- and then bow, and remain in this state till you feel at rest in bowing,

- and then raise your head and stand straight;

- and then prostrate till you feel at rest in prostration, and then sit up till you feel at rest while sitting;

- and then prostrate again till you feel at rest in prostration;

- and then get up and stand straight, and do all this in all your prayers."

Hadith # 6668

Narrated `Aisha:

When the pagans were defeated during the (first stage) of the battle of Uhud, Satan shouted, "O Allah's slaves! Beware of what is behind you!"

So the front files of the Muslims attacked their own back files. Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman looked and on seeing his father he shouted: "My father! My father!" By Allah! The people did not stop till they killed his father.

Hudhaifa then said, "May Allah forgive you."

`Urwa the sub-narrator added, "Hudhaifa continued asking Allah forgiveness for the killers of his father till he met Allah (till he died).

Hadith # 6669

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and drink."

Hadith # 6670

Narrated `Abdullah bin Buhaina:

Once Allah's Messenger (pbuh) led us in prayer, and after finishing the first two rak`at, got up (instead of sitting for at-Tahiyyat) and then carried on with the prayer. When he had finished his prayer, the people were waiting for him to say Taslim, but before saying Tasiim, he said Takbir and prostrated; then he raised his head, and saying Takbir, he prostrated (SAHU) and then raised his head and finished his prayer with Taslim.

Hadith # 6671

Narrated Ibn Mas`ud:

Allah's Prophet led them in the Zuhr prayer and he offered either more or less rak`at, and it was said to him, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! Has the prayer been reduced, or have you forgotten?" He asked, "What is that?" They said, "You have prayed so many rak`at." So he performed with them two more prostrations and said,

"These two prostrations are to be performed by the person who does not know whether he has prayed more or less (rak`at) in which case he should seek to follow what is right. And then complete the rest (of the prayer) and perform two extra prostrations."

Hadith # 6672

Narrated Ubai bin Ka'b:

That he heard Allah's Messenger (pbuh) saying, "(Moses) said, 'Call me not to account for what I forget and be not hard upon me for my affair (with you)' (18.73) the first excuse of Moses was his forgetfulness."

Hadith # 6673

Narrated Al-Bara bin Azib

That once he had a guest, so he told his family (on the Day of Id-ul-Adha) that they should slaughter the animal for sacrifice before he returned from the ('Id) prayer in order that their guest could take his meal. So his family slaughtered (the animal ) before the prayer.

Then they mentioned that event to the Prophet who ordered Al-Bara to slaughter another sacrifice.

Al-Bara' said to the Prophet (pbuh) , "I have a young milch she-goat which is better than two sheep for slaughtering."

Hadith # 6674

Narrated Jundub:

I witnessed the Prophet (pbuh) offering the `Id prayer and after finishing it he delivered a sermon and said,

"Whoever has slaughtered his sacrifice (before the prayer) should make up for it (i.e. slaughter another animal) and whoever has not slaughtered his sacrifice yet, should slaughter it by mentioning Allah's Name over it."

Al-Ghamus oath

Hadith # 6675

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The biggest sins are:

- To join others in worship with Allah;

- to be undutiful to one's parents;

- o kill somebody unlawfully;

- and to take an oath Al-Ghamus.

"Verily, who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths ..."

Allah Ta'ala says in Surah Ale Imran:

‏إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ... وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

As for those who sell the faith they owe to Allah and their own plighted word for a small price,

they shall have no portion in the hereafter: nor will Allah (deign to) speak to them

or look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He cleanse them (of sin);

they shall have a grievous penalty. (3:77)

And the saying of Allah:

وَلاَ تَجْعَلُوا اللَّهَ عُرْضَةً لأَيْمَانِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوا وَتَتَّقُوا وَتُصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ‏‏‏‏ ‏

And make not Allah's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly,

or making peace between persons; for Allah is one who heareth and knoweth all things. (2:224)

And in Surah Al-Nahl he said:

وَلاَ تَشْتَرُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً إِنَّ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ‏

Nor sell the Covenant of Allah for a miserable price:

for with Allah is (a prize) far better for you, if ye only knew. (16:95)

And in Surah Al-Nahl he said:

وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدْتُمْ وَلاَ تَنْقُضُوا الأَيْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلاً ‏

Fulfil the Covenant of Allah when ye have entered into it,

and break not your oaths after ye have confirmed them;

indeed ye have made Allah your surety; (16:91)

Hadith # 6676, 6677

Narrated `Abdullah:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"If somebody is ordered (by the ruler or the judge) to take an oath, and he takes a false oath in order to grab the property of a Muslim, then he will incur Allah's Wrath when he will meet Him."

And Allah revealed in its confirmation: '

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلا ‏

Verily! Those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's covenants and their own oaths.' (3.77)

The sub-narrator added: Al-Ash'ath bin Qais entered, saying, "What did Abu `Abdur-Rahman narrate to you?" They said, "So-and-so,"

Al-Ash'ath said,

"This verse was revealed in my connection. I had a well on the land of my cousin (and we had a dispute about it). I reported him to Allah 's Apostle who said (to me). "You should give evidence (i.e. witness) otherwise the oath of your opponent will render your claim invalid."

I said, "Then he (my opponent) will take the oath, O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)."

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"Whoever is ordered (by the ruler or the judge) to give an oath, and he takes a false oath in order to grab the property of a Muslim, then he will incur Allah's Wrath when he meets Him on the Day of Resurrection."

To swear something not in one's power; or do act of disobedience; or oath in anger

Hadith # 6678

Narrated Abu Musa:

My companions sent me to the Prophet (pbuh) to ask him for some mounts. He said, "By Allah! I will not mount you on anything!"

When I met him, he was in an angry mood, but when I met him (again), he said, "Tell your companions that Allah or Allah's Messenger (pbuh) will provide you with mounts."

Hadith # 6679

Narrated Az-Zuhri:

I heard `Urwa bin Az-Zubair, Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab, 'Alqama bin Waqqas and 'Ubaidullah bin `Abdullah bin `Uqba relating from `Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) the narration of the people (i.e. the liars) who spread the slander against her and they said what they said, and how Allah revealed her innocence. Each of them related to me a portion of that narration.

They said that `Aisha said,

''Then Allah revealed the ten Verses starting with:--'Verily! Those who spread the slander..' (24.11-21) All these verses were in proof of my innocence.

Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to provide for Mistah some financial aid because of his relation to him, said, "By Allah, I will never give anything (in charity) to Mistah, after what he has said about `Aisha" Then Allah revealed:-- 'And let not those among you who are good and are wealthy swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kins men....' (24.22)

On that, Abu Bakr said, "Yes, by Allah, I like that Allah should forgive me." and then resumed giving Mistah the aid he used to give him and said, "By Allah! I will never withhold it from him."

Hadith # 6680

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:

I went along with some men from the Ash-ariyin to Allah's Messenger (pbuh) and it happened that I met him while he was in an angry mood. We asked him to provide us with mounts, but he swore that he would not give us any. Later on he said, "

By Allah, Allah willing, if ever I take an oath (to do something) and later on I find something else better than the first, then I do the better one and give expiation for the dissolution of my oath."

If one says: "By Allah! I will not speak today"

Hadith # 6681

Narrated Al-Musaiyab:

When the death of Abu Talib approached, Allah's Messenger (pbuh) came to him and said,

"Say: La ilaha illallah, a word with which I will be able to defend you before Allah."

Hadith # 6682

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"The following are two wordsthat are very easy for the tongue to say, and very heavy in the balance (of reward), and most beloved to the Gracious Almighty (And they are): Subhan Allahi wa bi-hamdihi; Subhan Allahi-l-'Adhim,"

Hadith # 6683

Narrated `Abdullah:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said a sentence and I said another. He said,

"Whoever dies while he is setting up rivals along with Allah (i.e. worshipping others along with Allah) shall be admitted into the (Hell) Fire."

And I said the other:

"Whoever dies while he is not setting up rivals along with Allah (i.e. worshipping none except Allah) shall be admitted into Paradise."

Whoever took an oath that he would not enter upon his wife for one month

Hadith # 6684

Narrated Anas:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) took an oath for abstention from his wives (for one month), and during those days he had a sprain in his foot. He stayed in a Mashrubah (an upper room) for twenty-nine nights and then came down. Then the people said, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! You took an oath for abstention (from your wives) for one month."

On that he said, "A (lunar) month can be of twenty-nine days."

If somebody takes an oath not to drink Nabidh

Hadith # 6685

Narrated Abu Hazim:

Sahl bin Sa`d said, "Abu Usaid, the companion of the Prophet, got married, so he invited the Prophet (pbuh) to his wedding party, and the bride herself served them.

Sahl said to the People, 'Do you know what drink she served him with? She infused some dates in a pot at night and the next morning she served him with the infusion."

Hadith # 6686

Narrated Sauda:

One of our sheep died and we tanned its skin and kept on infusing dates in it till it was a worn out water skin.

If someone takes an oath that he will not eat Udm

Hadith # 6687

Narrated `Aisha:

The family of (the Prophet) Muhammad never ate wheat-bread with meat for three consecutive days to their fill, till he met Allah.

Hadith # 6688

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Abu Talha said to Um Sulaim, "I heard the voice of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) rather weak, and I knew that it was because of hunger. Have you anything (to present to the Prophet)?" She said, "Yes."

Then she took out a few loaves of barley bread and took a veil of hers and wrapped the bread with a part of it and sent me to Allah's Messenger (pbuh). I went and found Allah's Messenger (pbuh) sitting in the mosque with some people. I stood up before him. Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said to me, "Has Abu Talha sent you?" I said, ' Yes.

Then Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said to those who were with him. "Get up and proceed."

I went ahead of them (as their forerunner) and came to Abu Talha and informed him about it. Abu Talha said, "O Um Sulaim! Allah's Messenger (pbuh) has come and we have no food to feed them."

Um Sulaim said, "Allah and His Apostle know best."

So Abu Talha went out (to receive them) till he met Allah's Messenger (pbuh). Allah's Messenger (pbuh) came in company with Abu Talha and they entered the house. Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "O Um Sulaim! Bring whatever you have." So she brought that (barley) bread and Allah's Messenger (pbuh) ordered that bread to be broken into small pieces, and then Um Sulaim poured over it some butter from a leather butter container, and then Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said what Allah wanted him to say, (i.e. blessing the food).

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) then said, "Admit ten men." Abu Talha admitted them and they ate to their fill and went out. He again said, "Admit ten men." He admitted them, and in this way all the people ate to their fill, and they were seventy or eighty men."

The intention in taking oaths

Hadith # 6689

Narrated `Umar bin Al-Khattab:

I heard Allah's Messenger (pbuh) saying,

"The (reward of) deeds, depend upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.

So whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Apostle, then his emigration will be considered to be for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever emigrated for the sake of worldly gain or for a woman to marry, then his emigration will be considered to be for what he emigrated for."

If a person gives his property in charity because of a vow and as an expiation for sins

Hadith # 6690

Narrated Ka`b bin Malik:

In the last part of his narration about the three who remained behind (from the battle of Tabuk). (I said) "As a proof of my true repentance (for not joining the Holy battle of Tabuk), I shall give up all my property for the sake of Allah and His Apostle (as an expiation for that sin)."

The Prophet (pbuh) said (to me), "Keep some of your wealth, for that is better for you."

If someone makes some food unlawful for himself

Hadith # 6691

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (pbuh) used to stay (for a period) in the house of Zainab bint Jahsh (one of the wives of the Prophet) and he used to drink honey in her house. Hafsa and I decided that when the Prophet (pbuh) entered upon either of us, she would say, "I smell in you the bad smell of Maghafir (a bad smelling raisin). Have you eaten Maghafir?" When he entered upon one of us, she said that to him. He replied (to her), "No, but I have drunk honey in the house of Zainab bint Jahsh, and I will never drink it again." Then the following verse was revealed:

'O Prophet ! Why do you ban (for you) that which Allah has made lawful for you?. ..

(up to) If you two (wives of the Prophet (pbuh) turn in repentance to Allah.' (66.1-4)

The two were `Aisha and Hafsa And also the Statement of Allah:

'And (Remember) when the Prophet (pbuh) disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his wives!' (66.3) i.e., his saying, "But I have drunk honey."

Hisham said: It also meant his saying, "I will not drink anymore, and I have taken an oath, so do not inform anybody of that."

To fulfil one's vow

Hadith # 6692

Narrated Sa`id bin Al-Harith:

He heard Ibn `Umar saying, "Weren't people forbidden to make vows?"

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

'A vow neither hastens nor delays anything, but by the making of vows, some of the wealth of a miser is taken out."

Hadith # 6693

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

The Prophet (pbuh) forbade the making of vows and said,

"It (a vow) does not prevent anything (that has to take place), but the property of a miser is spent (taken out) with it."

Hadith # 6694

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Allah says, 'The vow, does not bring about for the son of Adam anything I have not decreed for him, but his vow may coincide with what has been decided for him, and by this way I cause a miser to spend of his wealth.

So he gives Me (spends in charity) for the fulfillment of what has been decreed for him what he would not give Me before but for his vow."

The sin of him who does not fulfil his vow

Hadith # 6695

Narrated Zahdam bin Mudarrab:

`Imran bin Hussain said, "The Prophet (pbuh) said,

'The best of you (people) are my generation, and the second best will be those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the second generation."

`Imran added, "I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three (generations) after his generation.

He added, 'Then will come some people who will make vows but will not fulfill them; and they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy, and they will give their witness without being asked to give their witness, and fatness will appear among them.' "

To vow for to be obedient to Allah

Hadith # 6696

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, should remain obedient to Him;

and whoever made a vow that he will disobey Allah, should not disobey Him."

If somebody vowed during the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance, and then he embraces Islam

Hadith # 6697

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

`Umar said "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! I vowed to perform I`tikaf for one night in Al-Masjid-al-Haram, during the Pre-Islamic Period of ignorance (before embracing Islam). "The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Fulfill your vow."

Ibn `Umar said to the lady, "Pray on her behalf."

Ibn `Abbas said the same.

If somebody dies without fulfiling a vow

Hadith # 6698

Narrated Sa`id bin 'Ubada Al-Ansari:

He consulted the Prophet (pbuh) about a vow that had been made by his mother who died without fulfilling it.

The Prophet (pbuh) gave his verdict that he should fulfill it on her behalf. The verdict became Sunna (i.e. the Prophet's tradition).

Hadith # 6699

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

A man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said to him, "My sister vowed to perform the Hajj, but she died (before fulfilling it)."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Would you not have paid her debts if she had any?"

The man said, "Yes."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "So pay Allah's Rights, as He is more entitled to receive His rights."

To vow for something not possessed, and for something sinful

Hadith # 6700

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever vowed to be obedient to Allah, must be obedient to Him;

and whoever vowed to be disobedient to Allah, should not be disobedient to Him."

Hadith # 6701

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Allah is not in need of this man) torturing himself," when he saw the man walking between his two sons (who were supporting him).

Hadith # 6702

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

The Prophet (pbuh) saw a man performing Tawaf around the Ka`ba, tied with a rope or something else (while another person was holding him). The Prophet (pbuh) cut that rope off.

Hadith # 6703

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

While performing the Tawaf around the Ka`ba, the Prophet (pbuh) passed by a person leading another person by a hair-rope nose-ring in his nose. The Prophet (pbuh) cut the hair-rope nose-ring off with his hand and ordered the man to lead him by the hand.

Hadith # 6704

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

While the Prophet (pbuh) was delivering a sermon, he saw a man standing, so he asked about that man. They (the people) said, "It is Abu Israil who has vowed that he will stand and never sit down, and he will never come in the shade, nor speak to anybody, and will fast.''

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Order him to speak and let him come in the shade, and make him sit down, but let him complete his fast."

If somebody has vowed that he will observe Saum

Hadith # 6705

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

That he was asked about a man who had vowed that he would fast all the days of his life then the day of `Id al Adha or `Id-al-Fitr came.

`Abdullah bin `Umar said:

You have indeed a good example in Allah's Messenger (pbuh). He did not fast on the day of `Id al Adha or the day of `Id-al-Fitr, and we do not intend fasting on these two days.

Hadith # 6706

Narrated Ziyad bin Jubair:

I was with Ibn `Umar when a man asked him, "I have vowed to fast every Tuesday or Wednesday throughout my life and if the day of my fasting coincided with the day of Nahr (the first day of `Id-al- Adha), (What shall I do?)"

Ibn `Umar said,

"Allah has ordered the vows to be fulfilled, and we are forbidden to fast on the day of Nahr."

The man repeated his question and Ibn `Umar repeated his former answer, adding nothing more.

Can the land, sheep, farms and one's belongings be included in vows and oaths?

Hadith # 6707

Narrated Abu Huraira:

We went out in the company of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) on the day of (the battle of) Khaibar, and we did not get any gold or silver as war booty, but we got property in the form of things and clothes.

Then a man called Rifa`a bin Zaid, from the tribe of Bani Ad-Dubaib, presented a slave named Mid`am to Allah's Apostle. Allah's Messenger (pbuh) headed towards the valley of Al-Qura, and when he was in the valley of Al- Qura an arrow was thrown by an unidentified person, struck and killed Mid`am who was making a she-camel of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) kneel down.

he people said, "Congratulations to him (the slave) for gaining Paradise."

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said,

"No! By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, for the sheet which he stole from the war booty before its distribution on the day of Khaibar, is now burning over him."

When the people heard that, a man brought one or two Shiraks (leather straps of shoes) to the Prophet. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "A Shirak of fire, or two Shiraks of fire."