Method of
Taking an Oath, Warning Against False Oaths, and Expiation (Kaffarah) of Oaths
Different Narrations About False Oaths:
1.
It is reported from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet (peace be upon
him) said:
There is no sin more deserving of quick punishment than rebellion against
Allah. And there is no good deed more deserving of quick reward than
maintaining family ties. A false oath destroys cities.
2.
Another narration says:
There is no deed greater in reward than maintaining family ties, and no sin
worse than rebellion and cutting off relations. A false oath ruins towns.
3.
In another narration:
Among acts of obedience, maintaining family ties brings the fastest reward.
Among acts of disobedience, rebellion brings the quickest punishment. A false
oath removes the beauty and prosperity of cities.
4.
Another narration states:
There is no greater sin than rebellion that brings immediate punishment.
Types of Oaths
and Their Islamic Rulings
There are three types of oaths:
1. Binding Oath (Yameen Mun‘aqidah):
An oath taken about a future action. If a person breaks it, he becomes sinful
and must give kaffarah (expiation).
2. False Oath (Yameen Ghamoos):
A deliberate false oath about a past event. This is a major sin. There is no
kaffarah for it, but sincere repentance is necessary.
3. Unintentional Oath (Yameen Laghw):
When a person takes an oath thinking something is true, but it turns out to be
false. There is no sin and no kaffarah for this type.
Explanation of
Yameen Ghamoos:
The hadith mentioned above refers to Yameen
Ghamoos.
It is strongly condemned because its negative effects can harm society and
destroy the prosperity of communities.
The word “Ghamoos” comes from the Arabic root
meaning “to dip or immerse.”
It is called this because the person who takes a false oath is plunged into sin
and will face punishment in the Hereafter.
Some Islamic Rulings Related to Oaths:
1.
Taking an oath is allowed, but it should be avoided as much as possible. One
should not make it a habit. Taking an oath in the name of other than Allah is
disliked.
2.
A person who takes a false oath (Yameen Ghamoos) is a major sinner. There is no
kaffarah, but repentance is required.
3.
Conditions of an oath include:
The person must be Muslim, sane, adult, and the matter must be possible. The
oath should be directly connected to the statement.
4.
If someone declares something lawful as unlawful for himself, it does not
actually become unlawful. However, breaking such a statement may require
kaffarah. For example, saying “Talking to you is forbidden for me” is
considered an oath.
5.
Oaths taken in the name of anyone other than Allah (like life, parents, honor,
Kaaba, etc.) are not valid Islamic oaths and do not require kaffarah.
Kaffarah
(Expiation) for Breaking an Oath:
Allah says in the Qur’an:
لَا یُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللّٰهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِیْۤ
اَیْمَانِكُمْ وَ لٰـكِنْ یُّؤَاخِذُكُمْ بِمَا عَقَّدْتُّمُ
الْاَیْمَانَۚ-فَكَفَّارَتُهٗۤ اِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسٰكِیْنَ مِنْ اَوْسَطِ مَا
تُطْعِمُوْنَ اَهْلِیْكُمْ اَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ اَوْ تَحْرِیْرُ رَقَبَةٍؕ-فَمَنْ
لَّمْ یَجِدْ فَصِیَامُ ثَلٰثَةِ اَیَّامٍؕ-ذٰلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ اَیْمَانِكُمْ اِذَا
حَلَفْتُمْؕ-وَ احْفَظُوْۤا اَیْمَانَكُمْؕ-كَذٰلِكَ یُبَیِّنُ اللّٰهُ لَكُمْ
اٰیٰتِهٖ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ۔
Translation:
Allah does not hold you accountable for unintentional oaths, but He will hold
you accountable for deliberate oaths. The expiation is to feed ten poor people
with average food that you feed your family, or clothe them, or free a slave.
If someone cannot afford this, then he should fast for three days. (Surah
Al-Ma’idah: 89)
Brief
Explanation:
Scholars explain that:
- You can
feed ten poor people two meals each,
- Or feed
one poor person for ten days,
- Or give
money equal to food for two meals.
It is not allowed to give the full amount for ten
days to one person at once; it should be given daily.
Note:
The estimated cost of one meal for one poor person is about 300 PKR (as
of 31-03-2026).
This equals approximately 2.125 kg of wheat.
(Sharah sahi muslim, by allamah Ghulam Rasool Saedi, V#4, P#559-560 )
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