Q 1: My aunt, accompanied by her daughters and some neighbors, visited her sick neighbor. Showing great hospitality, the family man went to the corral and took a sheep to slaughter it. However, my aunt
made a vow three times and took an oath that she and the others in her company would not eat the sheep.
(Part No. 23; Page No. 150) He did not regard this oath and slaughtered the sheep. The meal was prepared, but my aunt refused to eat due to her oath. However, the people in her company did. Is she blamed for their act of breaking her oath? Who is responsible for this problem; the family man, my aunt, or the persons who ate the meal? Please answer me! May Allah reward you with the best!
A:
If the reality is as you mentioned, this woman must offer one Kaffarah (expiation) for the unfulfilled oath and vows as they are made for one purpose. The Kaffarah is to feed ten Miskins (needy persons) by giving each of them half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of the staple food, such as rice, wheat, and so on, or provide them with clothing, or emancipate a believing slave. If she cannot afford any of these, she must observe Sawm (Fast) for three days. It would have been better if she had joined the other persons who ate the meal to appreciate the generosity of the family man and offer the Kaffarah later. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"If you take an oath (to do something), then you find something else better than it, offer the Kaffarah for your oath and do the thing which is better."
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.