Taking some gifts after swearing not to and making Kaffarah for some while considering the others unintentional


372

A: If you swear an oath not to receive presents from your relatives in the future, you are obligated to fulfill your oath as long as the oath has been taken regarding something that involves obeying Allah (Exalted be He). If it has been taken regarding something that involves disobeying Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger (peace be upon him) or if you find a better thing, you can break the oath. This is based on the Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who vows that he will be obedient to Allah should remain obedient to Him; and anyone who makes a vow that he will disobey Allah should not disobey Him." The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "Anyone who takes an oath and then considers something else better than it should expiate for the oath (broken) and do what is better." Accordingly, if you do not fulfill the oath you have taken, you will have to offer Kaffarah (expiation) for each oath you have taken in case the purpose of each oath is different. However, if the purpose is the same, only one Kaffarah is required. The Kaffarah involves feeding ten Miskins (needy persons); each receiving one and half kilograms of wheat or rice or any other sort of staple food. In case feeding is unaffordable, you have to provide them with clothing. If this is also unaffordable, you must emancipate a believing slave. In case you can afford none of these options, you must observe Sawm for three days. This is based on the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) in which 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). (Part No. 23; Page No. 125) Muslims should not belittle the seriousness of taking an oath by neglecting to offer the required Kaffarah after breaking them. Nor should they take repeated oaths unnecessarily. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.




Tags: