Q 2: My wife, to my surprise, swore by Allah to observe Sawm (Fast) for two months if she succeeded. I was angry about this, because she should have asked for my permission first. 1. Does she have to fast for two months without my approval?2. Does she have to make Kaffarah (expiation) for breaking her oath?3. She suffers from asthma and usually breaks some days of her Sawm in Ramadan due to this, in addition to the days she misses under the legal excuse of menstruation. Does she have to fulfill her oath and observe Sawm?

A: If the situation is as you mentioned, she does not have to fulfill her vow, because (Part No. 23; Page No. 163) it will weaken her ability to carry out her responsibilities towards her husband, and cause her to neglect his rights over her, especially in regard to herself (i.e. Conjugal intercourse). This can be evidenced by the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “It is not Halal (lawful) for a woman to observe Sawm (Fasting) when her husband is present, except with his permission, or allow anyone into his house, except with his permission.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in their "Sahihs [Books of Authentic Hadith]") Therefore, under these circumstances, she should make Kaffarah, which is to feed ten Miskin (needy people), giving each 1.5 kg of the usual food of the country, or clothe them, or free a believing slave. If she cannot do any of these things, she should observe Sawm for three days.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.