Q 2: A woman took an oath that she would not ride any type of Jeep Cars. She did so because once she was in a Jeep and had a terrible time in it as the road was unpaved and this is (Part No. 23; Page No. 145) why she took this oath. She also took an oath not to enter their house located in another city. Now, she wants to ride in a Jeep and to enter the house. What should she do? If she has to fast, how many days should she fast for the two oaths she is willing to break?

A: There is no harm in riding in a Jeep or entering the mentioned house. However, if she does so, she will break her oath and hence she will have to offer one Kaffarah (expiation) for riding a Jeep and another Kaffarah for entering the house. The Kaffarah is feeding ten Miskins (needy people) from the average type of food, clothing them or freeing a Muslim slave. If she is unable to feed, clothe or free a Muslim slave, she will have to observe fasting for three days for every broken oath. 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. And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much). Thus Allâh make clear to you His Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) that you may be grateful. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says, 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. Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. (Part No. 23; Page No. 146) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.