Q: One morning while I was asleep, my father hit me as he wanted me to give him a ride to Khamis Mishit. Out of my anger, I swore that I would not go with him. He was an old man and he got angry with me and went on foot. When I calmed down, I asked Allah (Exalted be He) for forgiveness and caught up with him and drove him there. Kindly give me a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) concerning my oath. May Allah reward you with the best!

A: You must treat your father kindly and help him in whatever he asks you as long as it is lawful. You have to endure any reprehensible deeds he may do to you.However, if he orders you to do a sinful act, there is no obedience to any person in something that involves disobeying Allah. As for breaking your oath, you did well in that, because it was authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: "By Allah, if I ever take an oath to do something and then I find something else better than the first, I will offer Kaffarah (expiation) for my oath and do the thing which is better." Consequently, you have to offer Kaffarah for an oath. The Kaffarah involves feeding ten Miskins (needy persons) the average meal that you feed your family, or providing them with clothing, or emancipating a believing slave. If none of these is affordable, you must observe Sawm (Fast) for three days. (Part No. 23; Page No. 156) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.