Q 1: during a dispute with my wife, I swore by Allah that she was no longer lawful to me. I did not intend divorce, and my oath was not a strong oath. After the problem was settled, I brought her back home and we had sexual intercourse. Now I am very confused, what do I have to do? Please provide me with an answer in this regard, may Allah reward you!

A: If you did not intend Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative), you will be required to expiate for your oath and your wife remains lawful for you. The Kaffarah (expiation) of oath is feeding ten needy persons with a kilo and a half of wheat, rice, or the like, for each person; (Part No. 23; Page No. 131) clothing them, or freeing a believing bondsman. If you are unable to do so, you should fast three days. However, if you intended Zhihar by what you said, you will have to refrain from having sexual intercourse with your wife until you fulfill the Kaffarah of Zhihar, which is to free a believing bondsman. If you are unable to do this, you have to fast for two consecutive months, and if you are unable to do this due to old age or illness, you must feed sixty needy persons, a kilo and a half each from the staple food of the country. Additionally, you should repent for what you did and never return to do this in the future, for Allah blamed His Prophet (peace be upon him) for prohibiting what He made lawful for him in His Statement (Exalted be He), Why do you forbid (for yourself) that which Allâh has allowed to you ... Allâh has already ordained for you (O men) the absolution from your oaths. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.