Swearing contradictory oaths

445

Q: What is the ruling on someone who swears an oath to do something then swears another oath not to do it? (Part No. 23; Page No. 37) For example, a person may swear to go to a certain place and afterwards swear not to go to the same place. What is the ruling on that?

A: It is obligatory for someone who swears an oath to do something then swears another oath not to do it to fulfill either of the two sworn oaths and expiate for the other. The Kaffarah (expiation) for an oath is to feed ten Miskins (needy persons) or clothe them or emancipate a believing slave. If none of these is affordable, the person will have to observe Sawm (Fast) for three days. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Allâh will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths; for its expiation feed ten Masâkîn (poor persons), on a scale of the average of that with which you feed your own families, or clothe them or manumit a slave. But whosoever cannot afford (that), then he should fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.