Q: I had some disputes with a neighbor and in one occasion, I took an oath saying, "My wife will be like my daughters and mother to me if I ever eat from your food." Later on, I regretted what I said and wished to restore the friendship I once had with my neighbor. Please give me a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) concerning what I should do.

A: If you meant by saying "My wife will be like my daughters and mother to me" to prohibit sexual intercourse with your wife if you eat from your neighbor's food, you have to make Kaffarah (expiation) for Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative) if you break your oath. The Kaffarah will be fulfilled if you free a believing slave; if you cannot find one, then you should fast for two successive months. Again if you are unable to fast, you must feed sixty needy people before you can resume intimacy with your wife. (Part No. 20; Page No. 286) If you only meant to prohibit your neighbor's food to yourself, you will have to make Kaffarah for breaking your oath (if you eat from his food) which is feeding ten needy people. It is sufficient to give them five Sa`s (1 Sa` = 2.172 kg) of wheat, dates, rice or any of the staple foodstuffs of your family; or to clothe ten needy people or to emancipate a believing slave. If you are unable to do so, you must fast for three - preferably successive - days. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.